•••^^^^*>^s?rj;r^^ 


I'.'iiiKis  A-  Leiit.rel 

STATIONERS, 

'(■INTKRS  Jt  C  -OK   bINDKBS 

45  M aiden  Iiaue, 

NEW    V*)RK.  je. 


THE 


WATCH    TOWER 


IN 


THE    WILDERNESS. 


BY 


ANNA    SHI-PTON, 

AUTHOR   OF    "asked   OF   GOD,"    "THE    PROMISE   AND    PROM- 

ISER,"    "WAITING    HOURS,"    "SECRET  OF 

THE    LORD,"   ETC. 


NEW   YORK: 
PUBLISHED   BY   T.    V.   CROWELL, 

744    BROADWAY. 


BV  THE  SAME  AUTHOR. 


THE  ANNA  SHIPTON  SERIES. 


Tell  Jesus. 

Waiting  Hours. 

Way-side  Service. 

Asked  of  God. 

The  Lost  Blessing. 
The  Secret  of  the  Lord. 

The  Promise  and  the  Promiser. 

The  Watchtower  in  the  Wilderness. 


Bound  in  Paper  Covers,  25  cents ;  in  Cloth,  76  cents. 


THOMAS  Y.  CROWELL,  Pnblisher, 

744  Broadway,  New  York. 


srlf 


0C^l>^63l  ^Co\ 


PFPIP>TIPr^ 


"When  the  poor  and  needy  seek  ivater,  and  there  is  none,  and 

their  tongue  faileth  for  tliirst,  I  the  Lord  will  hear 

them,  I  the  God  of  Israel  will  not  forsake  them." 

Isaiah  xli.  17. 


TO  THE  KEEPER  OF  ISRAEL, 

■WHO  NEITHER  SLUMBERS  KOR  SLEETS, 

3  Commit  l^tst  simple  |lccorb3  of  mn  ?2Ialt^t9  in  l^e 
SnU&cincss, 

PRAYING    HTM    TO    GUIDE    AND    BL£S3    THEM    TO    THOSE  T^  HO 
UAVB  NOT  TRODDEN  THIS  WAY  HERETOFORE. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
The  Chamber  looking  toward  the  East    -       -       -        -       7 

CHAPTER  II. 
Marietta      ----------26 

CILVPTER  m. 
Too  late,  but  in  God's  time       -       -       -        .        -       -      47 

CHAPTER  IV. 
How  God  supplies      -----.._      61 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Messenger  from  the  high  Rocks         -       -       -       -      82 

CILVPTER  Yl. 
The  unseen  Footsteps         -------94 

CHAPTER  Vn. 
Hie  Mountain  luu      --..-...    m 

5 


Vi  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  Vin. 
Light  in  the  Darkness        ------,    123 

CHATTER  IX. 
The  dark  Tunnel        .--.----144 

CHAPTER  X. 
Watersprings  in  a  drj'  Ground.         -----    161 


THE  WATCH  TOWER. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  CHAIVIBER  LOOKLNG  TOWARD  THE  EAST. 

"On  the  east  side  toward  the  rising  of  the  sun  shall  they  of 
the  standard  of  the  camp  of  Judah  pitch  throughout  their 
armies."  — Num.  il.  3. 


fERRlBLE    as    an    army    with   banners 
would    be   the    Church    of    the    hving 
God,   did   she   go   forth  in   the   power 
J 

of  weakness  and  the  strength  of  Him  who 
dwelleth  between  the  cherubim.  It  is  the 
presence  of  the  God  of  our  forces,  the  Cap- 
tain of  the  Lord's  host,  that  we  need  visibly 
amongst  us ;  and  until  that  army  become  a 
7 


8  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

■willing  and  obedient  people,  we  shall  fail 
to  see  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord,  which 
He  is  ready,  moment  by  moment,  to  mani- 
fest in  behalf  of  those  who  trust  him. 

"  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?  " 
If  the  eye  of  faith  be  on  the  Lord,  He  is 
migJity  to  save ;  and  whether  we  perceive 
Him  or  not.  He  is  faithful,  even  though  way- 
wardly  and  wilfully  we  may  have  wandered. 
The  disciphue  entailed  upon  us  through 
temptation,  and  weakness,  and  suffering 
(2  Cor.  i.  4),  by  our  being  placed  in  a  new 
and  unexpected  position,  may  give  us  a 
knoweledge  of  Him,  enabling  us  to  "  succor 
them  that  are  tempted,"  to  "  strengthen  the 
weak  hands,  and  confirm  the  feeble  knees." 
(Heb.  ii.  18  ;  Isa.  xxxv.  3.) 

The  tribe  of  Judah  in  the  wilderness,  en- 
camped towards  the  sun-rising,  caught  the 
first  gleam  of  light  upon  the  wild  waste 
around ;  and  those  who,  like  Judah,  have 
been  accustomed  to  watch  for  the  light  of 
the  early  day,  both  in  the  earthly  and 
heavenly  sense,  can  sing  many  a  glad  anthem 


THE  CHAMBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.    9 

of  praise  for  the  still  hour  which  has  been 
shared  alone  with  God.  Such  know  more 
of  Nature's  sweet  mysteries  than  many  a  one 
who  is  deep  in  scientific  lore. 

The  Lord,  who  has  shown  great  love  in 
going  before  me  to  searcli  mo  out  a  resting- 
place,  has  often  appointed  me  a  chamber 
looking  toward  the  east,  and  there  has 
always  been  associated  with  such  seasons 
some  time  of  special  service,  or  suffering,  or 
both,  which  has  left  golden  remembrances  in 
my  heart.  We  receive  our  mercies  too 
often  without  regarding  them,  until  we  miss 
them  from  our  pathway,  and  memory  recalls 
them  like  some  loving  gift,  too  little  prized 
until  lost. 

After  an  ascent  of  two  hours  and  forty 
minutes,  I  found  myself  on  the  summit  of 
one  of  those  lofty  mountains  on  the  borders 
of  Italy,  no  longer,  as  in  years  past,  inacces- 
sible except  to  a  few  enterprising  travellers, 
but  affording  a  sojourn  for  all  who  pined  for 
air  at  the  highest  level,  or  what  is  mora 
common  still,   who   desired  to  see  the  sun 


10  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

rise  in  that  mountainous  region.     The  Lord 
called   me  there,    and  I   arrived   at  one   of 
those  mountain  rests  that  afford  refreshment 
and  shelter  to  the  traveller.     On  the  evening 
of  my  arrival,  I  heard   the  various   family 
parties  arranging   for  climbing   the    heights 
before  dawn.     Nature  in  me  longed  to  climb 
with  them ;  but  the  Lord  had  said,  "  Rest ;  " 
and  so  I  went  to  my  bed,  in  a  chamber  close 
upon  the  ground-floor,  whence  I   heard  the 
many  guests  arise  and  depart  for  the  sight  of 
the  sun  rising.    I  lay  still,  and  strove  to  com- 
fort myself  by  remembering  I  was  not  called 
to  this,  and  that  He  who  in  His  wisdom  in- 
capacitated   me  from   bodily    exercise,   and 
outward  visible  service,  had  given  to  me  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness,  whose  light  shone  on 
my  way.  (Job  xxii.  28.) 

The  sun  was  shrouded  in  heavy  clouds, 
and  rose  unseen.  The  travellers  returned 
weary,  dispirited,  disappointed;  some  could 
not  tarry  for  an  other  opportunity,  and 
others  were  as  much  displeased  as  if  a  broth- 
er  man    had    broken   his  engagement.     An 


THE  CHAMBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.   11 

Italian  woman  of  the  household,  in  whose 
eyes  the  Lord  had  given  me  favor  to  speak 
of  Him,  told  me  of  a  little  turret-chamber 
looking  towards  the  east,  just  vacated  by  a 
student,  who  had  passed  the  summer  months 
there  with  his  books.  TJie  proposal  sounded 
pleasai.t,  and  the  complaisant  landlord  gave 
me  the  room.  It  was  indeed  a  watch-tower 
in  the  wilderness.  There  lay  before  me,  far 
away,  the  white  Alps ;  nearer,  the  purple 
hills ;  lower,  the  vast  plain,  with  the  green 
lakes.  After  a  niglit's  rest  I  was  prepared 
to  watch  for  the  dawn  over  these  magnificent 
mountains.  The  moon  still  shone  clear  and 
bright  on  the  mountain  valleys,  the  villages, 
and  the  lone  chalets  in  the  crimson  cl\^stnut 
woods ;  and  lines  of  rose-color  stole  almost 
imperceptibly  over  the  hills. 

Exactly  at  tlie  point  I  had  been  directed 
to  keep  in  view  for  the  sun's  first  appearance, 
1  beheld  a  small  gray  cloud,  which  had  the 
similitude  of  a  crown  ;  soon  it  became  touch- 
ed with  the  glory  yet  to  be  revealed.  Bright- 
er and  brighter  it   gleamed ;  in  a  few  mo- 


12  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

ments  it  became  a  golden  glory-crown ;  then 
the  sun  rose  into  it  and  absorbed  it,  and  in 
an  instant  shone  forth  with  a  might  and 
majesty  that  could  hardly  be  surpassed. 
Many  a  day  has  that  little  cloud,  in  my 
chamber  looking  towards  the  east,  preached 
to  my  heart ;  and  many  a  little  cloud  like  a 
man's  hand  has  been  the  harbinger  of  a 
brighter  day,  and  I  have  watched  what  first 
appeared  to  my  eyes  as  a  shadow  become  a 
service  or  an  offering  accepted  of  the  Lord. 

Why  has  the  believer  so  little  of  the  light 
of  life?  and  why  are  so  many  contented 
without  it  ?  Simply  because  Jesus  is  not 
the  object  of  their  life  and  affections.  They 
are  not  watching  for  Him  as  their  bright  and 
Morning  Star,  that  light  may  shine  upon 
their  ways,  and  so  they  miss  His  footsteps, 
and  lack  a  knowledge  of  the  mind  of  the 
Master.  They  have  not  entered  into  the 
sanctuary  of  His  presence,  and  therefore  are 
they  often  cast  down  and  afraid. 

A  prosperous  merchant  in  one  of  the 
largest  cities  of  the  Continent,  being  one  day 


THE  CHAMBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.        13 

enjrajred  in  examininjr  some  intricate  accounts 
until  his  brain  was  weary,  felt  irritated  to  be 
interrupted  by  the  card  of  a  stranger.  He 
refused  to  admit  him;  but  hardly  had  the 
door  closed  when  he  questioned  within  him- 
self, what  was  the  will  of  the  Lord  concern- 
ing it.  He  immediately  left  his  counting- 
house,  and  going  down  received  a  Christian 
brother  from  a  foreign  land,  and  after  un- 
expected blessing  in  communion  with  the 
friend  the  Lord  had  sent  him,  he  returned  to 
his  labor  invigorated  with  renewed  conscious- 
ness, that  he  who  would  know  the  joy  of  life 
must  have  no  will  but  to  do  the  will  of  God. 
The  heart  that  loves  truly  blends  the  ob- 
ject of  its  affection  unselfishly  with  its  own 
life.  ("  Not  I,  but  Christ.")  Without  this 
there  can  be  but  faint  comprehension  of  the 
inner  sanctuary  of  His  j)resence.  There  are 
thousands  of  outlets  the  carnal  man  can  never 
divine,  by  which  a  secret  worship  and  service 
are  rendered,  which  are  a  mystery  to  those 
without.  For  this  there  is  no  necessity  for 
positions  of  danger  and  excitement,  or  for  sub- 


14  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

lime  scenes  of  nature.  The  dweller  in  the 
crowded  city  or  the  mountain  home,  the  pa- 
tient in  the  sick-room,  the  housewife  in  her 
domestic  duties,  the  merchant  in  his  office, 
the  commercial  man  on  the  road,  the  travel- 
ler from  health  or  necessity,  may  all  equally 
possess  the  httle  sanctuary  indwelt  by  the 
Holy  One,  where  the  earth  keeps  silence  be- 
fore Him,  and  His  wonders  may  be  witnessed. 
I  have  therefore  chosen  the  illustrations  of 
my  subject  from  the  common  events  of  every- 
day life  ;  for  there  is  as  much  opportunity 
for  the  exercise  of  bravery  and  endurance, 
of  wisdom  and  skill,  of  generous  self-forget- 
fulness,  and  of  every  other  excellence  of 
which  man  is  capable,  in  "  the  daily  round, 
the  common  task"  of  the  most  uneventful 
life,  as  in  the  most  romantic  and  adventurous 
career. 

When  the  Lord  is  dealing  with  the  soul 
of  His  servant  he  need  be  a  patient  listen ei  , 
only  so  is  seen  the  little  cloud,  only  so  is 
heard  the  sound  of  abundance  of  rain.  Six 
times  did  EUjah  send  for  a  sign  before  the 


TIIE  CHAMBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.        15 

sign  that  his  prayer  was  answered  was  vouch- 
safed. "  The  little  cloud  rising  out  of  the 
sea,  like  a  man's  hand  "  would  have  had  no 
language  to  Ahab ;  but  to  the  expectant  proph- 
et it  bore  a  message  distinct  as  an  angel's 
voice.  The  little  cloud  was  the  harbinger 
of  many  clouds,  the  heavens  were  soon  black 
with  them.  (1  Kings  xviii.  45.)  Let  the 
kings  of  the  earth  eat  and  drink ;  but  they 
who  watch  the  way  of  the  Lord  must  sit 
alone  on  Carmel,  content  to  wait,  and  to  hear 
six  times,  if  need  be,  "  There  is  nothing," 
and  be  perhaps  the  sport  of  mockers,  who 
know  not  what  it  is  to  wait  alone  upon  God. 
Were  this  fellowship  with  God  more  deeply 
considered,  we  should  have  less  complaining 
of  unanswered  prayer. 

When  God  commanded  Abraham  to  slay 
his  son,  his  only  son,  we  do  not  find  him 
pleading  to  be  spared  the  sacrifice.  Unhesi- 
tatingly, and  without  taking  counsel  of  man, 
he  goes  up  to  slay  him  in  whom  he  had 
received  the  seed  which  was  to  possess  the 
earth,  and  in  which  all  the  families  of  tha 


16  THE   WATCH   TOWER. 

earth  were  to  be  blessed.  But  when  ungodly 
Sodom  is  about  to  be  destroyed  Abraham  is 
heard  pleading  for  others,  and  God  is  seen  in 
that  wondrous  attitude  of  being  detained  by 
the  prayer  of  a  child  of  dust ;  nor  does  judg- 
ment fall  until  Abraham  ceases  to  intercede. 

A  man  lives  without  God  until  some  ter- 
rible calamity  threatens,  or  some  great  per- 
plexity places  him  beyond  all  creature  help, 
and  sends  him  to  the  place  of  power,  the 
right  hand  of  the  majesty  on  high.  Faith 
brings  down  the  help ;  for  God  is  faithful ; 
and  as  the  man  grasps  the  tangible  answer  to 
his  prayer  he  may  cry  with  Job,  "  I  have 
heard  of  Thee  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear  :  but 
now  mine  eye  seeth  Thee."  (Job  xlii.  5.) 
But  why  is  the  believer  who  has  seen  and 
believed — yea,  who  has  so  often  not  seen 
and  yet  has  believed  —  why  is  it  thus  with 
him  ?  Why  has  he  so  little  knowledge  of  the 
mind  of  the  Lord  ? 

Life  does  not  consist  in  startling  events, 
but  in  minute  and  often-recurring  perplex- 
ities and    new  and  unforeseen  obstacles  in 


THE  CHAMBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.   17 

the  daily  walk,  calling  for  the  exercise  of 
faith  to  keep  alive  that  communication  be- 
tween the  Saviour  and  the  soul. 

The  spiritual  kingdom  must  always  be  an 
eniirma  to  those  who  are  without.  It  has  a 
language  misunderstood  or  uncomprehended 
by  them  ;  "  as  dying,  and,  behold,  we  live  ; 
as  chastened,  and  not  killed  ;  as  sorrowful, 
yet  alway  rejoicing ;  as  poor,  yet  making 
many  rich  ;  as  having  nothing,  yet  possessing 
all  things."  "  Therefore,  if  any  man  be  in 
Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature ;  old  things  are 
passed  away ;  behold,  all  things  are  become 
new."  Faith  and  hope  are  the  pinions  which 
bear  the  so  id  heavenward,  and  prayer  and 
praise  tlic  breath  of  the  new  creature ;  for 
*'  faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for, 
the  evidence  of  things  not  seen."  As  there 
is  a  natural  mind,  so  there  is  a  spiritual 
mind,  that  has  its  instincts  more  powerful 
and  perfect  than  that  which  must  perish 
with  the  using ;  for  it  is  written,  "  I  -will 
destroy  the  wisdom  of  the  wise,  and  will 
bring  to  nothing  the  understanding  of  the 


18  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

prudent.  Where  is  the  wise  ?  where  is  the 
scribe  ?  where  is  the  disputer  of  this  world  ? 
hath  not  God  made  foolish  the  wisdom  of 
this  world  ?  "  (i  Cor.  i.  19,  20.) 

The  first  principle  design  and  effort  of  the 
natural  man  is  to  attain  that  which  to  his 
mind  seems  most  desirable,  be  it  the  wisdom 
of  this  world,  rank,  riches,  or  fame,  and  to 
escape   any  sacrifice  of  present  good.     Yet 
the  pursuit  and  possession  of  all  that  appears 
fair  to  him  is  not  worth  the  toil,  for  to-mor- 
row may  see  him  bereft  of  it.     The  Hfe  of 
faith,  with  its  endless  treasures  of  everlast- 
ing love,  and  grace,  and  power,  is  hated  and 
shunned ;  for  he  says,  the  old  life,  with  its 
senses   and  sin,  is  better.     But   the   Spirit 
which  reveals  to  us  Jesus,  does  not  leave  us 
with  our  natural  life  of  sense  to  guide  us. 
He  "  teacheth  us  more  than  the  beasts  of  the 
earth,  and  maketh  us  wiser  than  tLa  fowls  of 
heaven."    (Job   xxxv.  2.)     Therefore  doth 
He  give  unto  the  spiritual  man  richer  gifts 
than  all  earth's  multiplied   power  of  sense 
can  bestow,  and  loftier  understanding  and 


THE  CnAJrBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.      19 

"Wisdom  than  the  carnal  man  desires  or  ap- 
plauds. The  wisdom  that  cometh  from 
above  is  a  supernatural  wisdom  ;  for  it  is 
drawn  from  the  source  of  life  in  Him  in 
whom  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our 
being.  The  man  created  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
who  has  entered  into  fellowship  with  Him, 
will  no  more  seek  enjoyment  in  the  things 
that  before  satisfied  him,  than  the  lark  who 
rises  with  his  song  in  the  summer  air  can 
return  to  his  shell  prison  in  the  mother's 
nest. 

Does  the  new  man,  living  the  life  of  faith, 
enjoy  no  earthly  blessing  ?  Ask  him.  *'  The 
earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  fulness  thereof." 
Earthly  blessings  are  enhanced  a  Imndred- 
fold  when  we  take  each  from  the  pierced 
hand  that  bestows  them.  We  behold  every 
gift  of  time  in  the  precious  setting  of  eter- 
nity— "All  things  are  yours."  Did  the 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  withhold 
any  good  thing  when  He  gave  His  Son  as  a 
Saviour,  an  Ad  vocal  e,  and  a  friend  ?  He  gave 
us  in   Him   all   things  richly  to  enjoy ;  Ha 


20  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

bore  away  our  sins  and  transgressions  ;  He 
would  bear  away  our  fears  if  we  would  trust 
Him  ;  He  would  hallow  our  affections  and 
sanctify  our  sorrows  ;  He  has  opened  the  way 
to  the  throne,  and  He  bids  us  use  it.  Does 
the  father  love  less  the  little  ones  who  make 
glad  his  home,  because  he  takes  them  fron> 
God  to  train  for  Him  ?  Ask  the  wife  if  her 
husband  is  less  beloved,  because  she  has 
learned  something  of  the  mystery  of  the 
union  of  Christ  with  the  believer?  Is  the 
love  of  the  husband  less  ardent,  less  faithful  ? 
Nay:  ask  the  child  if  the  summer  day's 
ramble  is  less  delightful,  or  study  more  irk- 
some, since  he  knew  the  love  of  his  Saviour, 
since  he  has  learned  to  confide  in  Him  for 
help  in  his  daily  tasks,  and  to  find  a  child's 
joy  in  the  sympathy  of  One  who  was  once  a 
Cliild,  and  knows  a  child's  sorrows  and 
temptations.  Ask  the  sailor  who  has  exper- 
imentally entered  on  the  life  of  faith,  and  is 
now  trusting  in  the  care  of  Him  who  rules 
that  great  sea  over  which  he  once  heedlessly 
Bailed,  in  storm  and  calm,  thankless  for  pres- 


THE  CHAMBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.   21 

ervation,  whether  life  is  not  brighter  and 
happier  now.  He  will  tell  you  the  very  rip- 
ple of  the  water  has  auoiher  voice  for  him 
than  heretofore.  The  wild  billow  has  no 
terror,  for  he  knows  His  Father  holds  the 
fountains  of  the  deep  in  the  hollow  of  His 
hand,  and  will  not  suffer  a  wave  to  flow 
beyond  the  bound  that  He  hath  set. 

Oh,  friends,  ye  are  not  poor  that  have 
Jesus  as  yours,  but  rich;  for  everything  is 
enriched  by  the  hand  that  gives,  and  blessed 
even  by  the  hand  that  takes  away. 

The  spiritual  man,  even  as  the  natural 
man,  must  have  his  corresponding  members, 
and  those  members  their  component  parts,  to 
render  him  fitted  for  the  service  of  the 
kingdom  which  the  child  of  God  is  called 
to  inherit  (Ephes.  ii.  21,  22)  ;  like  the  priest, 
he  must  be  neither  lame  nor  blind.  (Lev. 
xxi.  18.)  The  single  eye  to  which  the  Lord 
appended  a  certain  blessing  (Matt.  vi.  22) 
belongs  to  the  uprightness  of  heart  to  which 
He  calls  His  people.  From  it  springs  sim- 
phcity,  unquestioning  obedience,  and  child- 


22  THE   WATCH  TOWEE. 

like  love.  If  we  choose  that  in  which  He 
delighteth  not,  we  cannot  have  fellowship 
with  Him. 

You  may  multiply  ceremonies,  and  exalt 
philanthropic  efforts  ;  you  may  restore  forms 
and  rites,  which,  like  all  Judaism,  have  passed 
away  with  the  rent  vail ;  but  until  the  resto- 
ration of  that  which  the  outward  forms  were 
given  to  typify  (the  presence  and  power  of 
the  Lord),  the  world  will  remain  the  same, 
as  far  as  any  witnessing  of  the  Lord's  people 
is  concerned.  "  For  if  they  believe  not  Mo- 
ses and  the  prophets,  neither  will  they  be 
persuaded,  though  one  rose  from  the  dead." 
The  dwarfed  experience,  and  the  cold  lieart- 
ed  scepticism,  among  professing  Christians, 
arises,  from  a  neglect,  or  a  partial  specula- 
tive study,  of  the  Word  of  God.  They  do 
not  deny  that  tlie  manna  falls  from  heaven ; 
but  they  go  not  forth  to  seek  it  till  the  sun 
is  up,  or  gathering  it,  they  leave  it  in  tlieir 
vessels,  neglecting  to  feed  on  it  until  it  be- 
comes unprofitable.  The  patriarchs  and 
apostles  lived  the  truths  of  God  before  they 


THE  CHAMBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.   23 

taught  them  ;  and  if  you  live  in  the  Spirit, 
men  will  recognize  you  us  one  that  has  been 
with  the  despised  Nazarene.  "  This  fellow 
was  also  with  Him."  Fear  not ;  let  it  be 
known  that  you  have  looked  upon  and 
handled  the  Word  of  life.  Some  will  de- 
ride you,  some  will  hate  and  shun  you,  for 
your  singularity ;  but  dare  to  be  singular  I 
for  your  testimony  will  remain  before  Him 
who  has  declared,  "  Whosoever  therefore 
shall  confess  Me  before  men,  him  will  I 
confess  also  before  my  Father  which  is  in 
heaven."  (Matt.  x.  32.)  "  Ye  are  my  wit- 
nesses, saith  the  Lord,  and  my  servant  whom 
I  have  chosen :  that  ye  may  know  and  be- 
lieve Me,  and  understand  that  I  am  He." 
(Isa.  xliii.  10.)  The  precept  cannot  be 
severed  from  the  promise.  "  If  a  man  love 
Me,  he  will  keep  my  words:  and  my  Father 
will  love  him,  and  we  will  come  unto  him, 
and  make  our  abode  with  him."  Let  us  lay 
hold  of  these  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises,  that  we  may  be  partakers  of  the 
divine   uatui'c,   then  shall   wo    realize    Hia 


24  THE  "WATCH  TOWEE. 

power  in  us,  and  the  sanctuary  of  His  pres- 
ence.    So  only  can  we  rest  in  His  love. 

The  inheritance  of  the  saints  is  an  incor- 
ruptible one.  Corruption,  or  the  natural 
carnal  man,  cannot  possess  it.  Spiritual 
blessings  fall  on  those  in  heavenly  places 
in  Christ  Jesus  ;  how  then  can  the  world 
receive  them,  or  comprehend  the  sons  cf 
God  ?  "  My  soul,  wait  thou  only  upon  God ; 
for  my  expectation  is  from  Him."  "  It  is 
better  to  trust  in  the  Lord  than  to  have 
confidence  in  princes."  "  Trust  in  the  Lord 
at  all  times  "  does  not  refer  alone  to  the  day 
of  afidiction,  but  to  daily  need,  and  to  hourly 
blessing. 

MY  MOUNTAIN  REST. 

Ajto  often  my  glad  song  swelling, 

For  mercies  for  ever  new, 
Is  praise  for  the  thoughts  still  dwelling] 

On  my  rest  in  yon  mountain  blue. 

There  are  chains  of  those  purple  mountains, 
The  Alps,  with  their  crests  of  snow ; — 

There  are  green  lakes  fed  from  their  fountains, 
And  smiling  vales  below. 


THE  CHAISfBER  TOWARDS  THE  EAST.      25 

And  content  I  had  been  to  linger 

Wherever  my  Lord  might  be ; 
But  I  felt  that  His  guiding  finger 

Led  up  to  the  heights  for  me. 

To  my  spirit  He  seemed  unfolding 

The  path  that  His  feet  had  gone ; 
And  my  heart  in  His  love  re-moulding, 

To  follow  that  path  alone. 

I  stood  on  that  mountain  hoary, 

And  the  white  clouds  veiled  its  crest ; 
And  light,  like  a  beam  of  glory. 

Fell  bright  on  the  green  lake's  breast. 

But  ever  there  beamed  before  me 

The  wannth  of  His  heavenly  smUe ; 
And  sweetly  seemed  whisp'ring  o'er  me, 

"  Come,  thou,  and  rest  awhile." 

Thus  amid  the  Alpine  ranges, 

One  rises  fairest  of  all. 
Could  I  count  the  sky  in  its  changes. 

Or  the  sunbeams  bright  as  they  fall. 

Oh,  then  should  my  soul,  up-springing, 

Like  the  lark  from  its  lowly  nest, 
Tell  over  the  thoughts  still  clinging 

Bound  the  days  of  my  mountain  rest  I 


CHAPTER  II. 


MAHEETTA. 


"Even  the  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  numbered.    Fear  not 
therefore." — Luke  xii.  7. 


r 

r 


HY  has  the  child  of  God  so  little 
enjoyment  of  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  ?  Because  he  is  so  often  seek- 
ing his  own  will,  and  weighing  his  own 
faith,  and  joy,  and  love.  While  expecting 
that  greater  supplies  of  grace  in  "  some 
favored  hour "  will  permeate  his  being,  he 
disregards  the  occasion  prepared  for  bring- 
ing into  action  the  grace  already  given ;  and 
seeking  for  triumphs  before  the  world  and 
his  brethren,  he  neglects  that  service  which 
is  seen  only  in  secret  places. 

Jesus  and  Jesus  only  is  the  object  of  the 
sinner's  hope,  and  He  is  the  saint's  strong 


MARIETTA.  27 

habitation  to  which  he  may  continually 
resort ;  and  the  heart  that  is  sinceiiy  watch- 
ing for  Him  will  learn  in  His  presence  that 
to  be  brought  nigh  unto  Him  is  to  receive 
grace  for  grace.  Not  how  much  of  joy,  but 
how  much  of  Jesus. 

When  the  house  is  ready  for  our  guest,  we 
do  not  spend  our  time  in  looking  at  the 
house,  but  out  of  it,  to  catch  the  first 
glimpse  of  the  expected  one,  without  whom 
the  house  is  not  home.  Then  the  meanest 
thing  that  concerns  him  is  important,  and 
the  greatest  event  is  nothing  to  us  unasso- 
ciated  with  Him,  unshared  with  Him.  How 
often  have  1  to  remember  the  sparrow  on 
the  housetop,  the  lily  of  the  field,  and  that 
He  who  cares  for  them  remembers  me  ! 

"  My  dress !  INIy  gray  dress  again !  What 
shall  I  do  with  it  ?  "  I  repeated  many  times, 
as  I  packed  and  unpacked  my  portmanteau, 
and  there  came  perpetually  before  me  a  cer- 
tain dress,  too  valuable  to  be  cast  aside,  and 
yet  requiring  renewing  for  wear.  As  I  jour- 
neyed on  through  Switzerland,  I   thought.. 


28  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

Surely  I  shall  find  some  ready-fingered 
needle-woman  for  my  help ;  for  it  was  of 
English  manufacture,  and  j)i"o  raised  still  to 
be  useful.  Vain  the  hope  !  With  one  hand 
useless  from  a  contusion,  and  with  no  human 
friend  to  supply  the  loss  —  though  indeed 
help  was  provided  for  me  at  every  stage  in 
marvellous  and  unexpected  ways — it  may  be 
conceived  that  any  additional  labor,  however 
light,  I  would  gladly  have  avoided. 

My  bedroom  took  fire ;  all  my  winter 
clothing,  unpacked  to  meet  the  unexpected 
severity  of  the  season,  was  burned,  but  not 
this  particular  dress — that  was  safe  in  my 
portmanteau.  It  went  up  into  the  moun- 
tains with  me,  and  down  into  the  valleys, 
over  the  seas,  and  back  again  to  the  sunniest 
city  of  the  South.  No  harm  befel  it.  I 
would  have  given  it  away,  but  my  question- 
able benevolence  was  checked.  It  always 
seemed  unsuitable  to  the  intended  recipient ; 
and  when  I  thought  a  favorable  opportunity 
offered  to  dispose  of  it,  the  gift  I  would  hava 
made  was  unattainable. 


MARIETTA.  29 

I  have  been  led  to  consider  these  minute 
objects  and  events  in  which  God  manifests 
Himself,  which  affect  our  lives,  both  for 
good  and  evil,  in  walking  in  the  way  of  Ilis 
commandments,  because  I  found  God  in 
them ;  and  as  we  walk  in  faith.  He  has 
promised  that  we  shall  see  Him.  We  may 
not  always  bask  in  the  sun,  but  we  may 
often  see  the  reflection  if  we  are  looking  for 
it.  I  have  watched  the  waves  on  the  hori- 
zon, when  the  sun  went  down,  and  heavy 
clouds  hung  between  our  eyes  and  the  glori- 
ous orb ;  not  a  ray  broke  its  gray  panoply  of 
cloud,  but  it  was  shining  still,  and  the  dis- 
tant waves  on  the  extreme  verge  of  the 
boundary  line  danced  in  its  light.  After  a 
long  season  of  storms,  a  single  rain-drop  on 
the  green  hawthorn  before  ray  window  to- 
day suddenly  gleamed  like  a  star.  All  else 
to  my  eyes  was  dim  ;  but  it  told  of  a  rent  in 
the  clouds,  and  there  was  light  beyond. 
How  often,  M'hen  the  way  has  been  dark, 
and  there  has  appeared  to  be  so  much  delay 
in  answering  prayer,  that  the  impatient  heart 


so  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

has  been  tempted  to  cry,  "  It  is  in  vain  to 
wait  upon  the  Lord  any  longer,"  some  light, 
no  more  important  to  others  than  the  gleam 
on  the  rain-drop,  has  caused  our  heart  to  cry 
aloud  of  His  mercy !  We  know  by  it  that  Ho 
is  near,  that  He  is  caring  for  us,  that  He  has 
considered  our  need,  that  He  is  waiting  for 
patience  to  have  her  perfect  work,  and  to 
show  to  His  doubting,  timid  children  that  His 
time  is  the  best.  What  exercise  of  soul  may 
be  carried  on  by  what  would  be  numbered 
among  the  mean  and  contemptible  affairs  of 
life;  yet  how  much  importance  may  be 
attached  to  them  from  their  influence  on 
ourselves  and  others  ! 

I  remember  with  shame  the  irritation  with 
which  I  one  da}'  regarded  my  unpacked 
dress,  from  the  difficulty  of  finding  a  place 
for  it ;  but  this  was  put  to  flight  by  the 
tenderness  of  Him  who,  on  the  throne  of  His 
Father,  remembered  His  own  weariness  on 
earth.  Suddenly  the  thought  flashed  through 
my  mind,  that  after  all  the  dress  was  not 
mine,  but  the  Lord's,  and  I  would  enquire 


MARIETTA.  31 

of  Him  what  He  needed  done  with  it.  Then 
"there  was  a  great  cahn."  Jesus  entered 
the  little  ship.  The  gray  dress  ceased  to 
encumber  me  ;  I  felt  I  was  carrying  it  for 
Him.  This  checked  even  the  temptation  to 
part  with  it. 

I  am  not  conscious  that  I  possess  a  single 
article  that  has  not  derived  a  positive  value 
to  me  from  the  instruction  or  blessing  con- 
veyecl  with  it  from  the  impress  of  the 
pierced  hand  of  Love  through  which  every 
covenant  mercy  flows.  Each  individual  pos- 
session is  a  way-mark  of  my  wandering  life 
that  awakens  tears  of  penitence  or  songs  of 
praise  for  mercies  every  day  new  and  un- 
merited. Objects  and  circumstances  are 
nothing  in  themselves ;  they  derive  their 
importance  from  the  use  we  make  of  them, 
and  the  way  in  which  they  affect  us.  There 
can  be  neither  life  nor  interest  in  every-day 
occurrences  to  one  who  sees  "  no  beauty  in 
Him  that  he  should  desire  Him"  Such  an 
one  has  never  wept  with  Jesus  at  the  grave 
of  Lazarus,  nor  sat  with  him  weary  by  the 


32  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

well  of  Sychar.  He  would  behold  notning 
in  the  spring  but  the  foliage  appearing  again 
on  the  trees,  without  any  delight  in  the 
wondrous  mystery  contained  in  Nature's 
resurrection ;  and  he  might  admire  the 
beauty  of  the  Word  of  God,  without  any 
personal  application  to  himself. 

It  is  only  as  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God 
broods  on  the  dull  waters  that  there  is  hfe. 
Our  eyes  are  opened  to  see  and  our  ears  to 
hear  what  saith  the  Lord  in  His  word  and 
His  work.  Moment  by  moment  ravens  may 
in  this  way  bring  us  bread  and  meat  at  morn 
and  eve,  in  deserts  far  from  man's  cogni- 
zance, but  not  far  from  the  God  of  Elijah, 
who  had  taught  his  servant  to  look  to  the 
Creator  of  heaven  and  earth  for  his  suppHes. 
The  rod  with  which  Moses  guided  his  sheep 
in  the  desert  became  the  formidable  instru- 
ment in  showing  forth  the  power  of  Him 
who  had  raised  up  Pharaoh,  and  in  proving 
to  the  Israelites  what  a  God  had  looked  on 
their  afflictions,  and  had  called  them  forth 
out  of    Egypt,   and   bare  them   on   eagles' 


MAKIETTA.  33 

wings.  Solomon  spake  of  the  cedar  tree 
that  is  in  Lebanon,  but  he  did  not  omit  the 
hyssop  that  springeth  out  of  the  wall.  The 
tree  is  not  one  whit  more  important  than  the 
hyssop,  except  in  our  natural  estimation,  and 
both  were  commanded  in  the  sacrifice  and 
service  of  the  tabernacle.  (Lev.  xiv.  4,  6.) 
Withdraw  a  minute  from  an  hour,  and  it  is 
no  longer  an  hour.  The  lichen  has  its  seed- 
vessel,  so  has  every  little  span  of  time,  and 
each  will  bear  fruit  —  the  one  for  time,  the 
other  for  eternity.  A  desire,  a  glance,  a 
word,  a  tone,  has  caused  the  wreck  or  the 
rescue  of  a  life  ;  has  cheered  or  broken  a 
loving  heart ;  has  led  to  the  slaughter  or  the 
salvation  of  thousands  of  human  beings ; 
has  changed  in  a  moment  morning  into  mid- 
night, or  sorrow  into  song. 

The  work  of  the  Spirit  is  to  be  remarked 
externall}',  as  well  as  its  effects  spiritually, 
by  its  action  on  tlie  soul.  Paul  and  Barnabas 
were  despitefully  used  at  Iconium  (Acts 
xiv.),  and  they  fled  to  Lystra,  in  Lycaonia. 
There  they  preached  the  gospel.     They  were 


34  THE  WATCH  TOWEB. 

needed  there,  and  the  Lord  allows  the  faith 
of  His  people  to  be  tried  by  being  spitefully 
entreated,  while  the  rough  file  is  used  to 
bring  forth,  not  only  the  instrument  for  His 
work,  but  witnesses  for  His  glory.  In 
Lystra  was  a  certain  man,  a  cripple  from  his 
birth,  whom  the  Lord  had  ordained  to  be 
healed,  so  that  the  messenger  of  Satan,  who 
thought  to  destroy  the  witnesses  of  the  grace 
and  salvation  through  Jesus  Christ,  were  only 
permitted  agents  in  the  hands  of  God  for 
ultimate  blessing. 

I  had  made  a  rapid  journey  to  Como  for 
the  purpose  of  seeing  some  English  friends, 
whom  however  I  did  not  meet.  I  had  taken 
a  room  in  one  of  the  large  hotels,  on  the  bor- 
ders of  the  lake,  where  I  expected  them, 
intending  to  remain  there  until  I  had  further 
tidings  of  them.  The  room  appointed  for  mo 
adjoined  that  of  some  very  noisy  neighbors, 
who  spent  their  nights  at  cards  and  m  quar- 
relling. I  changed,  and  found  one  was  given 
to  me  which  opened  on  to  the  gallery  off  the 
saloon,    where    the    unceasing    piano,    and 


♦ 


MARIETTA.  85 


occasional  bands,  defied  all  rest ;  in  addition 
to  which  the  fcmnie  de  chamhre  was  both 
heartless  and  negligent,  unlike .  Italian  ser- 
vants in  general,  and  I  was  weary  and 
suffering.  Patient  waiting  is  more  diiUcult 
than  active  service.  Instead  of  looking 
hither  and  thither  in  our  daily  troubles  and 
perplexities,  if  we  meekly  sit  before  the  Lord 
and  ask,  "  Wherefore  is  it  thus  with  me  ?  " 
we  gather  wisdom  for  our  way,  and  strength 
for  our  trial,  which  lead  us  to  know  more  of 
Ilira,  who  has  never  left  us  because  of  our 
little  faith,  nor  forsaken  us  because  of  our 
dim  perception  of  Himself.  He  created  the 
smith  that  blows  the  coals  of  the  fire  ready  to 
consume  us ;  He  brings  forth  the  instru- 
ments for  His  work,  which  seems  so  nigh  to 
break  our  heart ;  but  no  weapon  that  is 
formed  against  the  child  of  God  shall  pros- 
per ;  all  things  shall  show  forth  His  power 
and  His  glory  to  them  that  trust  in  Him. 
What  appear  obstacles  in  our  service  are 
often  but  the  hand  of  the  Lord  to  hedge  up 
our  path  in  safety.     The  king    would   have 


36  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

made  David  keeper  of  his  crown,  and  would 
have  had  him  go  to  battle  ;  but  the  Lord 
placed  an  obstacle  in  the  opposition  of  the 
Philistines  (l  Sam.  xxix.  7),  which  prevented 
David  doing  that  which  the  Lord  forbade, 
Though  David  was  a  fugitive,  yet  he  was  not 
out  of  the  sight  of  Him  who  had  taken  him 
from  the  sheepcotes  to  be  king  over  His 
people  Israel.  So  it  is  to-day ;  the  Lord 
never  leaves  us,  though  we  forsake  Him. 
The  Lord  is  full  of  compassion.  So  I 
enquired  of  Him  why  it  was  thus  with  me  ? 
I  was  assured  that  I  had  followed  Him  so  far, 
and  I  knew  that  in  waiting  on  Him  I  should 
understand  in  part  "  wherefore." 

The  following  day,  as  I  went  down  the 
lake,  I  saw  a  modest  hotel  and  pension,  which 
had  escaped  my  memory,  where  I  had  once 
tarried  during  my  first  spring  in  Italy.  I 
bade  the  boatman  laud  me  there. 

The  hostess  was  very  ill,  and  unable  to 
rise,  and  sent  an  Italian  girl  to  speak  to  me. 
She  told  me  she  had  but  lately  arrived,  and 
it  was  her  -first  place.     She  was  clean  and 


MARIETTA.  37 

neat,  but  so  meanly  clad  that  slie  evidently 
wore  the  oft-mended  garments  of  her  cottage 
home.  Her  countenance  and  manner  bore 
evidence  of  strong  character  —  shall  I  say- 
strong  will? —  and  she  interested  me.  She 
showed  me  a  large  and  pleasant  chamber 
inth  an  eastern  aspect,  shadowed  by  pome- 
granate trees,  and  overlooking  the  lake,  with 
a  door  opening  out  on  the  upper  terrace 
leading  to  the  mountains.  It  pleased  me 
well.  She  made  all  the  arrangements  for  me, 
and  took  my  directions  for  some  alteration  I 
required  in  the  room,  which  I  took  possession 
of  tlie  following  day.  All  my  wishes  had 
been  met ;  and  her  compassion,  awakened 
for  my  helplessness,  contrasted  with  the 
surly  service  I  had  left.  My  new  attendant 
was  most  ingenious  in  devising  ways  and 
means  to  help  me.  She  was  truly  the  "  maid- 
of-ull-work,"  and  I  marvelled  why  she  was 
there.  It  was  a  second-rate  inn,  with  little 
wages  and  very  hard  work.  She  never 
seemed  weary,  but  she  never  looked  happy ; 
she  was  reserved  in  speech,  though  so  care- 
ful in  everything  that  affected  my  comfort. 


38  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

By  no  premeditation  on  my  part,  1  one 
evening  spoke  to  her  of  a  Saviour,  and 
repeated  to  her  a  few  texts  in  French  and 
•  Italian.  She  listened;  but  it  was  tlie  Christ 
of  the  crucifix  alone  that  she  knew.  She 
felt  her  need  of  pardon ;  but  seemed  to  think 
that  was  to  be  obtaind  by  works  only ;  and 
what  could  she  do  ?  If  I  had  doubted  before 
if  my  way  had  been  made  for  me,  I  should 
have  doubted  no  longer.  That  day  Marietta 
lay  continually  on  my  heart  in  prayer,  and 
the  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing seemed  to  be  allotted  to  me  for  my 
portion  in  my  chamber  looking  towards  the 
east.  Day  by  day  occasion  opened  to  show 
to  her  that  there  is  a  living  God,  who  num- 
bers the  hairs  of  our  head,  and  thinks  nothing 
too  trivial  that  can  give  pain  or  pleasure  to 
His  children.  She  listened,  scarcely  under- 
standing or  believing,  but  always  wondering 
and  delighted. 

My  right  hand,  from  over-fatigue,  now 
failed  me,  and  I  had  to  request  help  to 
unpack  my  luggage.     I  was  likely  to  remain 


MARIETTA.  -  39 

some  weeks,  and  few  people  were  in  the 
house.  The  hostess  gave  her  permission  for 
Marietta  to  assist  me,  and  glad  was  I  of  the 
arm  the  gracious  Lord  had  "sent  to  me  to  do 
the  work.  Neither  the  helper  nor  the  helped 
tlien  knew  all  that  was  contained  in  the 
circumstance.  She  took  each  separate  article 
out  of  the  box  with  extreme  care,  and  no 
little  curiosity.  At  last  I  heard  a  smothered 
exclamation,  followed  by  "  Beautiful !  "  I 
looked  round,  and  found  she  had  reached 
the  bottom  of  the  portmanteau,  and  in 
admiration  was  contemplating  my  gray  dress. 
A  thrill  of  joy  ran  through  my  whole  being. 
In  my  inmost  soul  I  said,  "  It  is  good  to  wait 
on  Thee."  I  watched  her  smooth  the  folds 
as  she  laid  it  carefully  by,  and  then  she 
enquired,  "  Was  it  English  fabric  ?  "  "  Yes," 
*'  Most  beautiful !  "  I  showed  her  that  it 
needed  repair ;  on  which  she  told  me  she 
could  sew  well ;  that  the  only  marriage 
portion  her  mother  said  she  could  give  her 
was  needle  and  thread,  and  that  she  should 
have;  and  she  had  it  in  perfection.     As  the 


40  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

portmanteau  was  closed,  I  marked  her  glance 
from  time  to  time  at  the  dress.  She  left  the 
room.  My  travelling  companion  lay  before 
me.  Reader,  it  is  a  mean  thing  in  your  eyes ; 
but,  like  the  manger  where  lay  the  Infant 
Prince  of  Peace,  I  think,  to  the  unseen 
angels,  there  would  have  appeared  a  glory 
over  it,  so  nearly  did  I  trace  Jesus  in  the 
fact  of  my  carrying  a  robe  for  Him. 

When  her  day's  work  was  over.  Marietta 
came  for  the  dress  to  repair  it :  and  as  she 
took  it  I  said,  "  God  has  sent  you  that 
dress."  There  was  a  sparkle  of  those  bright 
eyes,  a  quick  clasping  of  her  hands  before  a 
word  would  come,  and  then  her  thankful  joy 
would  have  repaid  me  for  a  longer  journey 
with  the  Lord's  gift.  Then  I  told  her  how 
He  had  kept  me  from  disposing  of  it,  and 
that  I  had  prayed  He  would  show  me  what 
to  do  with  it,  and  He  had  shown  me.  She 
listened  in  rapt  attention.  I  saw,  as  it  were, 
this  child  of  the  night  struggling  through 
the  shadows  to  the  day.  That  night  she  left 
me  with  the   consciousness  that  the   Lord 


MARIETTA.  41 

knows  all  our  needs,  and  there  is  joy  and 
gladness  in  the  service  of  Jesus. 

She  related  to  me  her  simple  history.  She 
had  not  clothing  fitted  for  another  place,  nor 
had  she  any  money  to  purchase  it.  She  was 
a  peasant.  Her  parents  worked  in  the  fields. 
An  uncle  living  at  Bordeaux  had  taken  her 
as  a  child  to  assist  in  a  little  shop,  where  she 
acquired  French.  She  returned  to  her 
family,  hoping  to  help  a  sick  mother  and 
two  aunts,  who  expected  to  be  assisted  out 
of  a  sum  so  small,  that  I  could  no  longer 
wonder  at  her  appearance.  Her  uncle  died, 
but  wrote  to  her  previously  a  letter  that  told 
her  where  he  had  found  peace  and  rest. 

Temptations  will  come  in  service  as  else- 
where. Suddenly  Marietta  avoided  speak- 
ing to  me,  or  being  alone  with  me.  Ah  I 
ih'^1  Satan  began  his  old  suggestion,  that 
after  all  the  service  was  not  for  God.  I  had 
required  my  portmanteau  unpacked,  and  had 
paid  a  servant  by  the  gift  of  a  dress  I  did  not 
wear.  To  the  blind  it  was  no  more.  I  pass- 
ed a  night  of  extreme  sadness,  and  prayed  to 


42  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

the  Lord  to  deliver  me,  by  strengthening  my 
weak  and  wavering  faith,  that  I  might  con- 
tinue to  rejoice  in  His  mercy. 

The  next  morning  the  brow  of  Marietta 
was  more  sombre,  and  she  herself  more 
taciturn  ;  and  so  it  went  on  for  some  days. 
At  last,  as  I  spoke  kindly  to  her,  she  sudden- 
ly, in  an  impassioned  way,  exclaimed, 

"  I  am  desolate  because  of  my  sins  !  I  cry 
in  the  night,  '  Oh,  my  God,  if  I  should  die, 
what  would  become  of  me  ?  ' " 

I  repeated,  "  The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
His  Son  cleanses  us  from  all  sin."  "  Beheve, 
and  be  saved." 

She  started,  and  replied  half,  as  it  were,  to 
herself,  "  The  words  my  uncle  wrote  to  me 
before  he  died  !  '  Have  faith  in  the  blood  of 
Jesus.'     That's  not  like  the  priest." 

"  You  believe  God  knew  your  need  in 
sending  to  you  some  clothing.  Do  you  think 
He  will  leave  you  to  perish  ?  Your  soul  is 
of  infinite  value  to  Him." 

"  I  know  He  sent  you  here,"  she  answered 
slowly ;  "  for  you  have  said  the  words  my 


MARIETTA.  43 

uncle  bade  me  remember.  Oh,  if  I  could 
only  say  the  penitential  Psalms!  but  I  can- 
not I  My  sins !  my  sins ! "  and  covering 
her  face  with  her  hands,  her  whole  frame 
trembled. 

I  took  from  my  pocket  a  little  vokime  of 
Italian  texts  of  Scripture,  and  showed  her, 
one  after  another,  —  invitations  to  come  to 
Jesus.  She  asked  me  if  I  would  lend  it  to 
her.  The  following  day  she  was  reluctant  to 
part  with  it.  Many  precious  reminiscences 
were  connected  with  that  little  book ;  but  I 
felt  I  had  Jesus,  and  this  might  lead  another 
nearer  to  Him,  so  I  bade  her  keep  it.  This 
"was  a  treasure  beyond  the  first,  and  from 
that  time  no  doubt  remained  in  my  own  mind 
of  the  Holy  Spirit's  work  begun  in  that  soul. 
Her  sense  of  sin  would  often  send  her  to  my 
side  in  deepest  distress,  and  the  peace  that 
followed  from  the  repetition  of  the  completed 
Sacrifice  for  sin  told  whence  that  peace  pro- 
ceeded. 

I  passed  three  weeks  in  the  pension,  and 
retui-ned  the  following  year  for  a  few  days, 


44  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

primarily  to  see  Marietta.  Tlie  hope  of  en- 
gaging her  for  my  own  service  filled  my 
mind,  but  the  Lord  unmistakably  disap- 
proved, and  I  was  thankful  He  had  given  me 
discretion  to  keep  that  desire  to  myself,  to 
prevent  disappointment.  Her  affection  was 
deep,  and  shown  in  the  impassioned  welcome ; 
and  the  parting,  like  her  own  nature,  was 
full  of  power  and  pathos.  "  Others  come 
and  go,"  she  said ;  "  it  is  nothing  to  me. 
But  you  I  love  as  my  mother.  I  am  full  of 
grief  to  part  with  you."  I  left  by  the  earliest 
boat,  soon  after  five  in  the  morning,  and  the 
last  sight  of  the  landing-place  from  the  deck 
of  the  steamer  showed  me  Marietta  still  there 
in  her  gray  dress — her  Sunday  suit — with  aa 
expression  of  utter  desolation  at  my  last  fare- 
well. 

I  wrote  to  her  occasionally,  sending  to  her 
as  I  CO  aid  what  I  thought  would  best  help 
her.  Lastly,  she  wrote  that  she  was  very  ill 
at  home.  I  forwarded  a  small  suui  of  money. 
I  heard  no  more.  Her  letters  ceased,  and  I 
lost  all  trace  of  her.    But  we  shall  surely  meet 


MARIETTA.  45 

again,  when  the  white  wedding-robe  shall  re- 
place the  soiled  and  worn-out  garments  of  our 
pilgrimage. 

We  shall  look  back,  I  believe,  on  these  mi- 
nute links  of  life's  histor}'-,  not  as  insignificant 
and  unimportant  objects,  as  some  count  them 
to-day,  but  as  wondrous  examples  to  exalt 
the  power  and  wisdom  of  God,  which  shall 
carry  their  influence  through  eternity.  He 
has  promised  to  manifest  Himself  to  us  as  He 
does  not  unto  the  world.  "  The  hearing  ear, 
and  the  seeing  eye,  the  Lord  hath  made  ev3U 
both  of  them."     (Prov.  xx.  12.) 


<>o»io« 

BEHOLD,    GOD  IS  MY  HELPER. 
Psalm  liv.  4. 

Oil,  fierce  the  foes  that  never  tire, 
And  never  cease  their  \vTath ! 

But  Thou,  Lord,  art  a  wall  of  fire 
About  Thy  childreu's  path. 

Thou  seest  the  conflict  close  and  sharp 

None  others  gaze  upon, 
And  angels  strike  a  golden  harp 

For  every  victory  won. 


46  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

At  night  encamped  around  our  bed 
There  waits  a  shining  band ; 

And  where  the  evil  spirits  tread, 
God's  holy  angels  stand. 

Then  shall  I  dread  the  darksome  nighty 
Or  fear  the  fowler's  snare, 

When  midnight  is  as  noonday  bright. 
And  Thou  art  everj'where  ? 

Safe  sheltered  'neath  Thy  canopy, 

I  will  in  danger  hide — 
The  arrows  harmless  passing  by, 

While  1  with  Thee  abide. 

Cover  me,  Lord !  my  trust  shall  be 
In  Thee  and  Thy  great  name ; 

For  he  whose  hope  is  set  on  Thee, 
Thou  ne'er  hast  left  to  shame. 


CHAPTER   III. 

TOO  LATE,   BUT  IX  GOD's  TIME. 

"  Thou  drewest  near  in  the  day  that  I  called  upon  Thee  { 
Thou  saidst,  Fear  not." —  Lam.  iii.  57. 

'HE  Lord  does  not  show  us  beforehand 
the  way  and  means  by  which  He  will 
work  our  deliverance  ;  enough  for  us 
that  He  has  said,  "Call  upon  Me  ...  I  will 
deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  Me." 

Perhaps  after  all  the  marvels  by  which 
the  children  of  Israel  were  delivered  from 
their  enemies,  they  would  find  it  difficult  to 
believe  they  could  walk  through  the  sea. 
But  Moses  makes  no  demur  to  the  command 
of  the  Lord,  but  stretches  forth  his  hand 
over  the  sea,  and,  behold,  the  waters  obey 
him,  and  the  children  of  Israel  go  forward, 

47 


48  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

and  that  very  element  their  enemies  ex- 
pected would  be  the  cause  of  their  over- 
throw, was  their  protection  from  the  savage 
anger  of  men  more  ruthless  than  the  waves. 
And  when  the  waters  were  behind  them,  a 
barrier  from  their  enemies  for  ever,  then 
could  they  sing,  "  Thou  in  thy  mercy  hast 
led  forth  the  people  which  Thou  hast  re- 
deemed :  Thou  hast  guided  them  in  thy 
strength  unto  thy  holy  habitation."  (Ex. 
XV.  13.)  So  it  is  still.  We  think  some  cir- 
cumstances in  the  place  to  which  we  are 
called  must  obstruct  our  path,  or  destroy  us. 
The  same  Lord  who  divided  the  Red  Sea  for 
the  Israelites  will  make  a  path  in  the  mighty 
waters  for  us,  and  though  His  footsteps  are 
not  seen,  yet  the  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire  is 
still  our  guide. 

But  let  not  the  enemies  of  God  strive  to 
follow  in  such  a  path  ;  for  there  is  no  prom- 
ise of  safety  to  tliem  ;  they  shall  lie  dead  on 
the  shore  of  that  sea  which  the  Lord  has 
made  a  path  for  His  ransomed  to  pass  over, 
"  The  ways  of  the  Lord  are  right,  and  the 


TOO  LATE,  BUT  IX  GOD's  TIME.  49 

just  shall  walk  in  them  ;  but  the  transgres- 
sors shall  fall  therein."     (Hosea  xiv.  9.) 

When  difficulties  arise,  and  perplexities 
like  rolling  waves  hedge  up  the  path  ;  when 
prayers  seem  to  bring  no  deliverance  ;  when 
light  is  hid ;  when  the  soul  cries  despair- 
ingly, "  All  these  things  are  against  me ; " 
when  "  He  sealeth  up  the  hand  of  every 
man;  that  all  men  may  know  His  work" 
(Job  xxxvii.  7),  these  are  the  days  when 
the  Lord  shall  fight  for  you,  and  you  shall 
hold  your  peace.  "  Fear  ye  not,  stand  still, 
and  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord."  But 
beware  that  the  place  is  one  to  which  He 
has  called  you,  and  not  some  self-chosen 
service  or  testimony  :  for  there  is  no  prom- 
ise to  them  that  are  out  of  the  way.  There 
must  be  confession,  and  restoration,  and  re- 
turning, in  the  obedience  of  childi-en  follow- 
ing on  to  know  the  Lord. 

After  three  days'  journey  in  tlie  wilder- 
ness, when  there  was  no  water,  their  late 
deliverance  was  forgotten,  they  did  not  cry 
unto  the  Lord,  but  murmured  against  Moses. 


50  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

Yet  He  who  had  brought  them  through  the 
Red  Sea,  and  had  so  shown  them  that  the 
winds  and  waves  obeyed  Him,  could  as 
easily  have  given  them  water  when  they 
thirsted  as  He  divided  the  sea.  He  was 
training  His  people  to  trust  Him. 

How  often  are  we  sighing  over  the  barren 
and  dry  land  where  no  water  is !  Those 
who  know  the  joy  of  having  trusted  Him 
will  recall  the  overwhelming  shame  when 
Ihey  have  limited  Him.  We  are  prepared 
by  Marah  to  understand  the  value  of  that 
branch  which  makes  life's  bitter  waters 
sweet,  the  branch  of  that  Tree  which,  out 
of  its  garden-grave,  blossomed  and  bore  glo- 
rious fruit :  "  Twelve  manner  of  fruits,  and 
the  leaves  of  the  tree  were  for  the  healing 
of  the  nations." 

Moses  cast  in  the  only  remedy  for  tlis 
poison.  It  would  not  have  availed  anything 
had  he  cast  in  all  the  spoil  of  the  Egyptians, 
or  anything  the  Lord  had  not  commanded ; 
the  bitter  waters  would  have  remained  bitter 
still.      That    Branch    still   can   make    life's 


TOO  LATE,  BUT  DT  GOD's  TEME.     51 

needful  waters  pure  and  wholesome.  Our 
Father  looks  beyond  our  momentary  trial ; 
he  sees  after  the  twelve  wells  of  sweet 
water,  and  the  fruitful  palms  threescore  and 
ten  ;  a  well  for  ever}'^  tribe,  a  palm  tree  for 
every  elder,  proving  that  He  has  only  to 
speak  the  word,  and  behold  all  things 
abound  for   His  wilderness  family. 

But  to  live  ever  beneath  Elim's  pleasant 
shade  would  be  to  lose  that  prize  for  which 
we  left  the  house  of  bondage.  We  must 
follow  Him  who  alone  can  lead  us  in  safety 
still.  Why  are  ^^■e,  like  the  Israelites,  mur- 
muring at  every  step  we  do  not  understand, 
or  which  is  against  some  preconceived  notion 
of  what  the  way  of  the  Lord  should  be  ? 
He  has  bade  us  go  over  to  the  other  side, 
and  we  distrust  Him  that  He  can  carry  U3 
there  safely.  When  we  see  Ilim  with  us  in 
our  little  ship,  then  we  know  it  shall  be  well 
with  us. 

"Thou  calledst  in  trouble,  and  I  delivered 
thee  ;  I  answered  thee  in  the  secret  j^lace  of 
thunder :  I   proved   thee   at  the  waters  of 
Meribah."     (Ps.  Ixxxi.  7.) 


52  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

One  sultry  evening  in  July,  I  was  about 
leaving  Zurich  for  Lucerne,  when  a  stranger 
paid  me  a  visit,  which  detained  me  a  few 
minutes  after  the  hour  intended  for  my  de- 
parture, and  I  beheld  the  train  leaving  the 
station  soon  after  I  entered  it.  After  waiting 
for  two  hours,  I  took  my  seat  in  another 
train,  and  had  proceeded  part  of  the  way, 
when  the  guard  entered  the  carriage,  and 
told  me  that  the  train  would  proceed  no 
further  than  Zoug,  where  a  gveatfete  of  the 
"  Tire "  of  the  four  cantons  was  held,  and 
that  it  would  be  impossible  for  me  to  procure 
lodgings  or  even  a  bed  ;  and  then  left  me  to 
my  meditations. 

^Af  ter  a  long  summer's  day  of  great  fatigue, 
alone,  and  with  this  prospect  before  me,  I 
had  no  hope  but  in  God.  I  had  the  carriage 
to  myself,  and  I  praised  Him  for  it,  that  I 
mio-ht    seek   Ilis    will   without    distraction. 

O 

And  I  was  able  to  spread  before  Him  all  my 
perplexity,  which  did  not  seem  to  Him  light. 
(Neh.  ix.  82),  asking  Him  to  show  me  where 
to  rest  my   weary  head,  and   what  to   do. 


TOO  LATE,  BUT  IN  GOD's  TIME.  53 

Before  I  arrived  at  the  end  of  my  journey, 
there  came  into  my  mind  the  name  of  a  lady 
in  whom  some  months  airo  I  had  been  much 
interested,  who  had  spoken  of  her  intention 
of  passing  some  weeks  in  the  summer  at  one 
of  these  mountain  rests  in  this  direction. 
Clearer  and  clearer  it  came  to  my  inward 
sense  that  this  was  my  way ;  but  how  to 
accomplish  it  ?     Jehovah-Jireh  1 

Zoug  was  a  scene  of  wild  jollity,  such  as  I 
had  never  witnessed.  The  trees  and  avenues 
long  before  we  approached  the  scene  gave 
evidence  of  the  fcte^  extending  from  village 
to  village.  Zoug  itself  presented  the  appear- 
ance of  one  gigantic  fair,  while  every  house 
was  decorated  with  banners,  garlands,  and 
devices.  A  wild  confusion  of  hilarious  mirth 
seemed  to  reign. 

For  a  moment  I  looked  round  with  dismay. 
A  carriage  was  my  only  hope  of  quitting  the 
town ;  but  how  was  this  to  be  procured  ? 
Not  one  was  to  be  seen.  How  could  I  seek 
for  one,  and  how  could  I  carry  even  the  little 
luggage  I  required  ?     1  cast  my  helplessness 


54  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

on  Him  who  I  believed  had  shown  me  the 
way.  He  who  turns  the  hearts  of  kings  like 
rivers  of  water  touched  the  heart  of  the  guard 
of  the  train,  and  after  considering  me  for  a 
moment,  he  bade  me  wait  until  he  had  de- 
livered his  papers,  and  he  would  return  to 
me.  I  had  not  long  to  wait.  He  took  up 
my  bag,  and  bade  me  follow  him,  and  I  found 
myself  in  the  midst  of  that  motley  crowd, 
while  the  tall,  strong  messenger  the  Lord  had 
sent  to  help  me  made  me  a  path  along  which 
I  passed  unmolested,  to  look  for  some  con- 
veyance that  at  the  close  of  such  a  day  should 
be  able  to  carry  me  safely  up  the  mountain 
of  the  Felberg. 

At  last  my  guide  obtained  an  old  cabriolet, 
with  a  jaded  horse,  so  thin  and  wretched  in 
appearance,  that  my  spirit  sank  to  think  that 
to  his  labor  of  the  day  it  was  for  me  to  add 
a  mountain  journey  at  night.  The  German 
boy  who  drove  him  won  my  favor  at  once  by 
his  care  and  kindness  to  the  poor  animal; 
and  the  kind-hearted  Swiss  guard,  having 
seen  me  safely  into  the  cabriolet,  bade  me 
farewell. 


TOO  LATE,  BUT  IN  GOD's  TBIE.  55 

Slowly  and  cautiously  the  driver  threaded 
his  way  along  the  crowded  highway,  now 
blazing  with  lights  in  every  direction.  The 
gi'eat  gate  of  Zoug  presented  the  appearance 
of  an  enormous  bower,  and  over  it,  in  large 
letters,  formed  of  flowering  heath  and  ever- 
lastings, "  WELCOME  !  "  met  my  eyes.  It 
seemed  like  the  welcome  for  me  in  the  path 
the  Lord  had  called  me  to  tread,  and  I 
thanked  Him,  and  took  courage. 

Never,  since  I  have  known  what  it  is  to 
trust  in  the  living  God,  have  I  received  a 
more  sensible  realization  of  Himself  than 
when  ascending  that  mountain,  in  the  clear 
twilight  of  that  sultry  day.  On  the  first 
platform  Fritz  rested  and  watered  his  horse, 
and  I  walked  slowly  on.  The  fresh,  cool 
mountain  air  was  charged  with  the  scent  of 
the  pine,  and  the  herbs  on  the  bank  drank  in 
the  dew  after  a  da}'  of  burning  heat,  and 
gave  forth  their  fragrance  to  the  breeze. 
The  moon  rose  over  the  lowest  point  of  the 
mountain  as  we  wound  into  a  yet  broader 
space,  and  the  vast  plain  below  was  as  dis- 


56  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

tiiict  as  in  the  full  light  of  day,  Zoug  itself 
appearing  like  a  little  illuminated  garden  in 
the  valley. 

It  was  near  midnight  when  I  reached  the 
mountain  home,  and  on  enquiring  for  the 
lady  so  suddenly  brought  to  my  mind,  I 
found  that  she  was  still  there,  and  a  light 
yet  burned  in  her  chamber.  I  asked  for  ad- 
mittance. My  appearance  there  was  one  of 
her  first  answers  to  prayer  for  any  tangible 
blessing,  and  she  recognized  it  in  wonder  and 
gratitude.  She  told  me  that  that  very  day, 
in  desolation  of  spirit,  she  had  wept  in  the 
pine  grove,  and  prayed  the  Lord  in  pity  to 
send  her  some  one  to  speak  comfort  to  her ; 
but  she  had  never  calculated  on  such  a  pos- 
sibility as  that  He  would  send  me. 

The  stranger  sent  of  God  had  delayed  my 
journey  but  three  minutes ;  but  this  had 
been  used  to  discipline  my  will,  and  to  bless 
and  cheer  the  lonely-hearted.  Thus  I  learn- 
ed another  lesson  of  following  Him  who  has 
never  failed  the  soul  that  trusts  in  Him.  A 
day  in  that  sweet,  cool  retreat  refreshed  me, 


TOO  LATE,  BUT  IN  GOD'S  TIME.  57 

BO  that  when  the  Lord  bade  me  proceed,  1 
was  able  thankfully  to  rcpljs  "  Send  me." 

And  now,  the  heart  comforted,  the  work 
done,  I  must  descend  again  into  the  valley ; 
but  this  time  I  had  no  good  Fritz  to  drive 
me,  but  a  man  who,  when  we  arrived  in  the 
town,  would  stop  and  drink  at  every  beer- 
house, in  spite  of  the  expostulations  of  my 
fellow-travellers  that  we  should  lose  the  train, 
which  we  did  ;  but  he  was  reckless.  Again 
I  found  myself  in  the  station,  in  the  midst  of 
the  dusty  town,  in  the  heated  atmosphere, 
heavy  with  the  fumes  of  tobacco  and  beer.  I 
felt  grieved,  impatient ;  but  I  remembered 
how  lately  my  disappointment  was  the  little 
cloud  that  led  me  where  the  Lord  needed 
m?  for  blessing  to  my  own  soul,  and  com- 
fort to  another,  and  I  prayed  that  I  might 
again  realize  His  care,  and  s0e  His  footsteps, 
and  praise  His  name  and  all  within  was 
peace. 

It  was  neither  by  carelessness  of  mine,  nor 
lack  of  committing  my  way  to  Him,  that  I 
was  there  in  that  great  salle  of  the  station, 


68*  THE   WATCH  TOWEE. 

every  window  open,  and  unshaded  from  the 
burning  rays  of  a  July  sun.  I  felt  it  perhaps 
yet  more  keenlj^  from  the  contrast  to  the 
quiet,  cool  shelter  of  the  pines,  and  the  pure 
mountain  air  I  had  left ;  but  I  was  able  to 
say,  "  As  Thou  wilt,"  and  I  was  satisfied. 
A  noisy  throng  came  and  went,  and  I  watch- 
ed to  see  if  the  Master  had  need  of  me.  At 
last  the  room  was  empty,  save  of  myself  and 
a  young  and  delicate  German  lady,  who, 
though  on  another  route,  like  myself,  had 
lost  the  train.  I  saw  her  distress  and  dis- 
appointment, and  spoke  to  her  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  holding  in  his  pierced  hand  all  the 
tangled  threads  in  perfect  order,  clear  and 
distinct  in  every  particular,  and  reminded  her 
that  every  hair  of  the  head  of  His  child  was 
numbered.  My  companion  listened  in  tear- 
ful interest;  and  for  an  hour  and  a  half  we 
sat  in  sweet  communion. 

As  the  passengers  at  last  thronged  the 
room  for  the  train  by  which  she  was  to  de- 
part, she  remarked,  "  Look  around.  Is  there 
one  face  in  this  crowd  that  bears  the  visible 


TOO  LATE,  BUT  IK  GOD'S  TIME.  59 

seal  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  Listen  !  Is  there 
even  the  expression  of  a  thought  concerning 
Him  ?  Let  us  praise  the  grace  that  has  sepa- 
rated us  to  Himself." 

I  know  not  what  was  the  message  the 
Lord  comforted  her  with.  She  listened  as 
if  she  would  not  lose  a  word  from  my  lips, 
and  looked  long  and  lovingly  in  my  face 
ere  she  bade  me  farewell.  Then,  suddenly 
clasping  me  in  her  arms,  she  gave  me  — 
"  Our  next  meeting  -  place  —  before  the 
throne."  "  Then,"  slie  added,  "  and  not 
till  then,  you  will  learn  that  indeed  it  was 
not  in  vain  that  you  waited  for  two  hours  in 
the  station  of  Zoug." 


-ooJOioo- 


Tlic  desert  can  ne'er  lonel}'  be, 
If  you  find  but  the  master  there ; 

The  lislit  of  Tlis  presence  only 
Makes  earth  in  her  beauty  fan-. 

Better  the  cross  be  the  sorest. 

Better  be  still  and  mute, 
Thau  tread,  mid  flowers  of  the  forest, 

And  miss  tlic  trace  of  His  foot. 


60  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

Faint  and  athirst  he  knew  me, 
As  I  travelled  my  life's  lone  road, 

And  nearer  His  heart  He  drew  me : 
'Tsvas  there  my  fountain  flowed. 

He  sendeth  the  hot  breeze  blowing 
In  the  weary  land  I  stray; 

But  He  is  mj'  "  Great  Rock  "  throwiog 
The  shadow  upon  my  way. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

HOW  GOD  SUPPLIES. 

••Tlie  silver  is  mine,  and  the  gold  is  mine,  saith  the  Lord."— 

Hag.  ii.  8. 
"  Surely  the  righteous  shall  give  thanks  unto  thy  name  :  the 

upright  shall  dwell  iu  thj'  presence." — Ps.  cxl.  13. 

HY  are  there  not  more  frequent  Eben- 
ezers  to  the  glory  of  God  ?  Why  this 
sad  eompltiiuing,  as  if  God  were  hard 
to  be  entreated?  Why  has  not  Jacob  prevail- 
ed ?  Why  are  ye  so  fearful  ?  How  is  it 
that  ye  have  no  faith  ?  Did  we,  like  God's 
servants  of  old,  build  an  altar  for  every 
fulfilled  promise,  or  set  up  an  Ebenezer  for 
every  deliverance,  faith  would  be  communi- 
cated by  the  voice  of  pra3'er  and  praise, 
which  would  often  make  glad  our  dwellings. 
The  footsteps  of  the  redeemed  would  thus 
leave  a  record  of  the  power  and  faithfulness 

61 


62  THE   TVATCn   TOWER. 

of  Him  who  has  said,  "  He  that  dwelleth  in 
the  secret  place  of  the  most  High  shall  abide 
under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty ; "  and, 
"  He  shall  call  upon  ]Me,  "^nd  I  will  answei 
him ;  I  will  be  with  him  in  trouble ;  I  will 
deliver  him,  and  honor  him."  (Ps.  xci.) 

We  may  discourse  long  and  learnedly  on 
the  power  and  the  faithfulness  of  God, 
without  warming  our  own  heart  or  the  heart 
of  others,  if  our  talk  expresses  merely  a 
theory  ©f  the  head,  rather  than  the  over- 
flowing of  a  full  heart. 

We  are  accustomed  to  look  at  the  dealings 
of  the  Lord  with  His  ancient  people  ;  but  we 
overlook  that  He  will  deal  as  miraculously 
with  each  individual  soul  in  the  world-desert 
to-day. 

We  do  not  see  manna  fall  from  heaven 
when  we  hunger ;  but  the  Lord  can  feed  His 
hungry  people  as  wonderfully  as  He  did  the 
Israelites,  by  putting  it  into  the  mind  of  some 
one  of  His  many  instruments  to  supply  all 
their  need.  "  The  king's  heart  is  in  the 
hand  of  the  Lord,  as  the  rivers  of  water : 


HOW   GOD   SUPPLIES.  63 

He  turneth  it  whitlicrsoever  lie  will." — 
(Prov.  xxi.  1.) 

I  knew  a  poor  woman  who  was  very  rich 
in  the  promises  of  God  fulfilled,  and  in 
prayers  laid  up  in  heaven's  great  treasure- 
house.  She  was  a  laundress,  and  such  an 
admirable  one  that  many  marvelled  that  she 
lived  in  such  a  desert  spot,  where  few  could 
benefit  by  her  skill ;  but  the  Lord  had  led 
her  there,  and  the  blessing  that  flowed  from 
her  hearty,  simple,  rejoicing  faith,  will  be 
known  when  every  man's  work  shall  be  seen, 
whether  it  be  good  or  whether  it  be  bad. 
She  traced  much  of  her  blessing  to  the  fol- 
lowing circumstance  in  her  life. 

Her  generous  hand  always  gave  liberally, 
and  she  held  to  the  promise,  "  The  blessing 
of  the  Lord,  it  maketh  rich."  One  sultry 
summer's  evening,  when  alone  in  the  cot- 
tage, she  was  startled  by  the  entrance  of  a 
rough-looking  sailor,  who  asked  permission 
to  rest.  He  had  only  one  eye,  and  looked 
so  repulsive  that,  while  she  consented,  she 
lifted  up  her  heart  to  the  Lord,  in  whose 


64  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

presence  she  abode.  He  told  her  that  the 
villagers  had  all  refused  him  entrance,  and 
as  he  spoke  she  felt  reassured.  She  had 
only  two  loaves  in  the  house.  She  gave  him 
one,  prepared  for  him  some  tea,  and  pressed 
on  him  her  last  half-crown  ;  which  he  de- 
clined, telling  her  he  had  enough.  The 
sailor  rose  to  leave,  and  then  he  solemnly 
blessed  her  ;  such  a  blessing  that  she  often 
afterward  dwelt  upon  it  as  having  come  di- 
rect from  the  fountain,  as  none  ever  came 
before.  The  promises  never  rusted  in  her 
keeping.  They  were  in  daily  use  ;  but  she 
always  dwelt  upon  that  day,  when  she  con- 
quered her  timidity,  and  gave  rest  and  re- 
freshment to  one  of  the  Lord's  people,  how- 
ever strange  the  outward  appearance  was. 

She  had  a  large  family,  and  proved  how 
compatible  was  the  heavenly  Master's  ser- 
vice with  the  daily  life  of  one  who  had  to 
care  for  her  children  and  earn  their  daily 
bread. 

A  long  illness  laid  her  by  from  work,  and 
the  only  staff  that   supported  her   thi'ough 


HOW   GOD   SUPPLIES.  65 

many  a  dark  valley  was,  "  Call  upon  Me  in 
the  day  of  trouble  :  I  will  deliver  thee,  and 
thou  shalt  glorify  Me."    .(Ps.  1.  15.) 

After  her  long  illness  labor  pressed  heavily 
on  her,  and  to  satisfy  her  employers  she  was 
obliged  to  hire  assistance,  and  thus  her  ex- 
penses doubled,  and  for  the  first  time  in  her 
life  she  found  herself  in  debt  for  rent  and  ' 
coal  to  the  amount  of  three  pounds.  The 
doctor  forbade  her  attempting  to  commence 
her  labor  again,  and  she  saw  herself  deprived 
of  the  means  of  livelihood,  as  far  as  strength 
was  concerned ;  for  every  attempt  to  return 
to  her  former  activity  was  followed  by  re- 
newed sickness. 

Her  principal  employers  were  the  squire 
and  his  family,  and  now  she  must  go  to  them 
and  tell  them  she  could  work  no  more.  The 
debt  pressed"  on  her,  but  the  Lord  had  writ- 
ten for  her  consolation,  "  Thou  shalt  call, 
and  the  Lord  shall  answer ;  thou  shalt  cry, 
and  He  shall  say.  Here  I  am."  "  Behold 
the  Lord's  hand  is  not  shortened,  that  Ho 
cannot  save ;  neither  His  ear  heavy,  that  He 


66  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

cannot  hear."  Her  need  was  great,  and  yet 
the  very  step  she  was  compelled  to  take, 
seemed  to  be  shuttmg  the  door  of  help  with 
her  own  hand ;  but  our  laundress  had  proved 
the  promises,  and  trusted  in  Him  who  had 
never  failed.  Accordingly  she  set  forth  to 
the  manor,  and  at  the  gate  met  the  squire. 
He  was  a  rough,  passionate  man,  of  whom 
most  were  afraid.  He  had  the  character  of 
being  covetous,  and  oppressive  to  the  poor, 
and  no  one  cared  to  come  into  collision  with 
him. 

She  told  him  her  errand,  that  she  had  come 
to  give  up  the  washing,  her  health  having 
failed.  He  was  much  displeased,  but  con- 
sented that  she  should  give  up  all  but  his 
fine  linen.  She  answered  firmly  that  it  was 
not  possible  for  her  to  continue  even  that, 
and  he  bade  her  go  to  the  hall  and  get  some 
dinner,  and  he  would  speak  to  her  again. 
"  I  could  not  eat,"  she  said  ;  "  my  heart  was 
heavy,  and  I  felt  afraid." 

An  hour  went  by  and  the  squire  returned, 
and  told  her  he  would  not  consent  for  any 


HOW   GOD   SUPPLIES.  67 

one  else  to  iron  his  linen,  and  that  she  must 
do  it,  and  that  he  would  pay  her  better  than 
before. 

"  No,  sir,"  she  replied,  "  my  husband  and 
my  children  cannot  do  without  me,  and  I  see 
it  is  the  will  of  the  Lord  that  I  give  it  up." 

On  this  decided  refusal  he  swore,  and 
spoke  roughly  to  her,  and  went  out  of  the 
house.  She  watched  him  as  he  paced  the 
terrace  with  strong  impatient  steps,  his  hands 
in  his  pockets,  pausing  now  and  then,  and 
looking  towards  the  window  where  she  sat ; 
she  saw  that  he  was  in  a  great  passion.  She 
rose  to  leave,  when  he  met  her,  and  in  a 
gruff  voice  exclaimed,  "  There,  if  you  won't 
iron  my  linen,  take  that,"  upon  which  he 
thrust  a  sovereign  into  her  hand  and  turned 
away. 

She  stood  confounded.  She  had  prayed 
to  the  Lord  to  deliver  her  from  debt ;  but 
she  did  not  expect  her  first  answer  would 
come  through  the  hand  of  this  rough  donor. 
There  was  one  sovereign  towards  the  debt ; 
but  where  could  the  other  two  come  from  ? 


68  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

All !  has  not  the  Lord  written,  "  The  silver 
and  the  gold  are  mine  "  ?  Still  the  squire 
paced  the  terrace  with  hasty  strides ;  sud- 
denly stopping  as  he  saw  his  trembling  vis- 
itor ready  to  depart,  and  looking  verj'  much 
disconcerted,  he  came  forward,  and  in  r.  tone 
which  had  more  of  fear  than  anger  in  it,  he 
said,  "  I  don't  know  what  is  come  to  ine ;  I 
cannot  help  giving  you  this,  and  telhng  you 
I  am  sorry  I  spoke  so  roughly  to  you,"  and 
he  thrust  two  more  sovereigns  into  her  hand. 

It  is  good  to  trust  in  the  Lord.  The  child 
of  God  had  not  trusted  in  vain  in  her 
heavenly  Father.  She  had  gone  forth 
empty,  believing  in  His  power ;  and  re- 
turned full,  praising   the  God  of  her  hope. 

Another  time  she  and  her  husband  went 
to  a  missionary  meeting.  Moved  by  the 
condition  of  the  heathen,  which  contrasted 
with  her  happy  enjoyment  of  the  love  of 
God,  she  consulted  with  her  husband  on  the 
possibility  of  giving  their  last  shilling  to  the 
missionary.  "  No,  no,"  said  the  husband ; 
but  a  voice  in  the  wife's  heart  said,  "  Give.'* 


HOW   GOD   SUPPLIES.  69 

Her  prayers  had  risen  and  her  tears  had 
flowed  for  the  poor  strangers,  and  should  she 
keep  back  her  bit  of  silver  because  it  was 
her  last,  when  she  had  treasures  in  heaven  ? 
Nay .  So  as  she  passed  the  plate  she 
dropped  in  her  shilling.  The  pair  walked 
on  in  silence,  the  husband  wishing  they  had 
left^  the  shiUing  at  home,  and  the  wife  re- 
joicing that  she  had  brought  it,  and  repeat- 
ing, as  was  her  wont,  promise  after  promise 
to  cheer  her  husband  in  his  anxious  fears  for 
the  morrow.  The  moon  shone  bright,  and 
her  light  glittered  on  the  frosty  branches  ; 
the  meadow  path  was  white  and  crisp  be- 
neath their  feet ;  but  it  was  not  the  moon- 
light that  made  light  in  the  heart  of  the 
happy  woman.  "  My  husband,"  she  said, 
"  turned  to  help  me  over  the  stile,  when  hig 
e3'e  lighted  on  something  glittering  brightly 
on  the  path  we  had  trodden.  He  pointed  ifc 
out  to  me.  I  turned  back,  and  found  a 
shilling,  white  and  new,  as  if  just  come  from 
the  mint." 

*'  Blessed  is  the  man  who  trusteth  in  the 


70  THE   WATCH   TOWER. 

Lord,  and  whose  hope  the  Lord  is ;  .  .  .  for 
he  shall  be  as  a  tree  planted  by  the  rivers  of 
water,  .  .  .  and  whatsoever  he  doeth  shall 
prosper." 

When  little  prospect  of  prolonged  life  lay 
before  me,  and  my  earthly  future  was  more 
than  ever  obscured,  a  physician  who  at- 
tended me  intimated  that  the  only  hope  of 
amelioration  to  my  suffering  lay  in  wintering 
in  a  southern  cHmate>  As  I  had  specially 
prayed  for  guidance  and  relief,  this  advice 
did  not  startle  me.  The  Lord  himself  had 
prepared  me  for  it.  I  knew,  when  casting 
all  my  care  on  Him  who  careth  for  me,  that 
this  also  was  of  the  Lord,  excellent  in  coun- 
sel. As  for  any  anxiety  to  live  or  die,  I  had 
none  ;  though,  as  often  as  I  sought  the  Lord, 
I  felt  that  I  had  yet  to  suffer  and  serve  be- 
fore I  entered  into  my  rest. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  I  saw  in  a 
vision  of  the  night  a  mountain  of  a  peculiar 
form,  overhung  with  clouds.  Light  broke 
from  a  hand  parting  the  clouds,  and  I  be- 
held  a  packet    addressed    with   my   name- 


HOW   GOD   SUPPLIES.  71 

The  Land  was  withdrawn  into  the  cloud, 
and  the  large  envelope  fell  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  mountain.  There  was  a  lausjh 
of  derision,  and  a  voice  triumphantly  shouted 
"  Now  it  will  never  reach  you !  "  Faith  was 
given  me  to  believe  that  it  would,  and  I 
fearlessly  replied,  "  If  it  is  ordained  for  ms, 
it  must  reach  me ;  and  if  not  intended  for 
me,  it  matters  not."  I  awoke  with  such  a 
strong  impression  of  the  peculiar  outline  of 
the  mountain,  that  I  described  it  to  my 
Christian  servant  as  one  of  those  remarkable 
dreams  that  seem  distinctly  to  act  on  the 
spiritual  man,  as  drawing  forth  the  power 
of  faith  even  in  slumber. 

We  travelled  on  to  the  West  of  England, 
and  after  many  journeys,  as  the  Lord  led  me, 
we  halted  at  Sennen.  The  summer  had 
settled  in,  and  soon  after  our  arrival,  with 
the  assistance  of  an  arm,  I  was  able  to  wan- 
der near  our  cottage,  in  one  of  those  lanes 
that  form  one  of  the  loveliest  features  of 
this  most  interesting  county  of  Cornwall. 
The  rough  stone  wall  that  shut  us  in  was 


72  THE  "WATCH  TOWEE. 

green  with  ivy  and  fern,  overhung  at  inter- 
vals with  witch-elm  and  hazel;  while  the 
mossy  banks  on  either  side  were  rich  in 
purple  and  white  foxglove  and  the  delicate 
harebell.  Such  a  scene  of  fresh  beauty, 
after  a  dwelling  in  towns  and  in  a  chamber 
of  sickness,  filled  my  heart  with  praise.  At 
the  ^end  of  the  lane  I  found  myself  at  a  low 
wicket-gate,  which  opened  into  the  fields, 
and  in  face  of  the  mountain  I  had  seen  in 
my  dream.  I  pointed  out  to  my  companion 
the  same  singular  outline  which  I  had  de- 
scribed to  her,  and,  resting  on  a  fragment  of 
rock  in  the  sunny  bank,  we  spoke  together 
of  Him  whose  path  is  in  the  deep  waters, 
and  His  footsteps  are  not  known.  In  the 
quietude  of  that  sweet  spot  I  recalled  some 
of  the  many  mercies  that  marked  my  daily 
life,  and  caused  me  to  raise  the  Ebenezer 
to-da}',  and  leave  the  wisely-clouded  future 
all  to  Him. 

When  we  returned  to  the  cottage,  two 
letters  awaited  me  —  one  from  a  friend  in 
tender  sympathy,  urging  me  to.  leave  Eng- 


HOW  GOD  SUPPLIES.  73 

land  before  the  fog  and  cold  of  winter 
would  take  from  me  the  power  of  removal. 
I  turned  to  the  other.  It  had  followed  me 
from  place  to  place,  and  bore  on  its  super- 
scription various  additional  addresses.  I 
tore  open  the  envelope,  and  a  hundred 
pounds  fell  at  my  feet !  But  this  was  not 
all.  A  few  words  in  the  letter  which  en- 
closed it  came  over  me  with  a  power  which 
I  knew  was  from  Him  who  can  give  speech 
and  language  wherever  the  ear  is  turned  to 
listen.  It  was  sent  "  for  traveUing  expenses 
to  Nice  ; "  and  as  I  read  it,  I  knew  that  He 
called  me  there,  and  this  was  the  will  of  the 
Lord  concerning  me.  Two  or  three  medical 
opinions  were  taken,  and  each  one  decided 
this  route  as  most  prejudicial  to  me  ;  so  that 
I  bejian  to  vacillate.  But  circumstances 
over  which  I  had  no  control  overruled  every 
other  suggestion  and  plan,  and  I  found  my- 
self exactly  where  the  letter  had  pointed. 
The  climate  was  injurious  to  me,  there  was 
no  doubt ;  but  the  blessing  that  met  me 
there  will  be  read  only  in  the  light  of  eter- 


74  THE   WATCH  TOTVEB. 

nity.     And  to  follow  Jesus,  neither  health, 
nor  wealth,  nor  strength  is  needed. 

On  another  occasion  I  was  on  the  point 
of  leaving  the  South  of  Ireland  for  the 
North.  The  friends  with  whom  I  had  been 
resting  a  few  days  were  distressed  at  the 
idea  of  my  proceeding  alone  ;  for  I  had  been 
many  months  a  prisoner  to  the  house  from 
illness.  The  day  previous  to  my  departure 
a  gentleman  suddenly  called  to  bid  them 
adieu.  He  was  leaving  for  England,  and  for 
this  purpose  was  proceeding  by  the  night 
train  to  the  place  from  which  he  intended  to 
embark. 

"  Could  you  not  delay  your  departure,  and 
take  care  of  our  dear  friend  ? "  urged  my 
kind  host ;  for  the  idea  of  my  long,  lonely 
journey  was  more  formidable  to  him  than  to 
me. 

"  Impossible  !  "  rephed  the  stranger,  at  the 
same  time  expressing  his  regret. 

"  Why  impossible  ?  "  urged  my  host. 

"  I  have  engagements  that  compel  me  to 
leave  to-night." 


HOW   GOD   SUPPLIES.  75 

After  a  few  words,  which  did  not  reach  my 
ears,  the  gentlemen  left  the  room  together. 
I  was  not  anxious  for  a  companion,  and  the 
evident  disinclination  of  our  visitor  to  post- 
pone his  journey  left  me  perfectly  satisfied  in 
the  matter.  I  did  not  know  they  had  quitted 
me  for  prayer  ;  but  so  it  was.  A  quarter  of 
an  hour  elapsed,  and  they  re-entered  togeth- 
er. The  stranger,  advancing  towarde  me, 
expressed  much  pleasure  in  delaying  his 
journey  to  suit  my  arrangements;  and  this 
was  done  so  frankly  and  courteously  that  I 
was  surprised  and  not  a  little  touched  at  the 
care  for  my  comfort.  Naturall}',  I  would 
rather  have  travelled  alone,  but  the  choice 
was  taken  out  of  my  hands,  and  it  remained 
for  me  to  seek  from  Ilim  who  had  never 
failed  me  how  this  long  journey  could  be  ac- 
comphshed  to  His  glory,  and  for  blessing  on 
my  companion,  so  that  he  should  not  regret 
the  sacrifice  of  his  convenience. 

I  gave  myself  to  prayer,  and  so  near  an 
access  was  granted  me,  that  I  doubted  not  it 
was  at  least  an  opportunity  of  blessing,  as 


76  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

everything  must  be  that  draws  a  soul  to  the 
mercy-seat.  But  this  was  not  all.  I  prayed 
to  be  used  in  some  way  to  the  Christian 
brother,  stranger  though  he  was. 

My  kind  host  had  retained  the  coupS  for 
us,  and  we  travelled  from  the  early  morning 
until  late  in  the  afternoon.  At  several  sta- 
tions we  were  detained,  when  I  observed  my 
companion  busil}^  engaged  in  writing.  I  did 
not  interrupt  him,  but  our  conversation  was 
immediately  renewed  as  we  proceeded.  "We 
spoke  of  the  power  and  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  particularly  as  I  had  lately  witnessed 
it  exhibited  in  the  lives  of  children,  in  whom 
my  companion  evinced  as  deep  an  interest  as 
myself.  I  felt  cheered  by  his  evident  sym- 
pathy as  I  spoke  of  those  whose  change  of 
heart  testified  of  the  power  which  the  assur- 
ance of  salvation  gives  to  the  lives  of  these 
little  ones  of  the  flock.  "  Even  a  child  is 
known  by  his  doings,  whether  his  work  be 
pure,  and  whether  it  be  right."  (Prov.  xx. 
n.) 

The  details  of  the  testimony  of  one  in  the 


HOW  GOD  SUrPLIES.  77 

broken  circle  I  had  just  quitted  greatly 
touched  my  listeuer. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  afternoon,  as  we 
waited  for  the  arrival  of  another  train  before 
proceeding,  he  learned  from  a  placard  that 
the  vessel  he  intended  to  sail  in  had  left 
several  hours  earlier  than  he  expected,  and 
instead  of  proceeding  with  me  to  the  termi- 
nation of  my  journey,  he  must  leave  me  at 
once  by  express.  I  shall  not  forget  our 
parting.  He  warmly  thanked  me.  The  fol- 
lowing day  he  was  under  an  engagement  to 
address  six  hundred  boys.  He  had  felt  quite 
unequal  to  the  task,  and  desired  to  rest  at  the 
town  where  he  was  expected,  for  the  purpose 
of  preparing  his  address.  To  his  astonish- 
ment, I  unconsciously  started  the  subject  on 
which  his  heart  was  pondering,  and,  opening 
his  note-book,  he  showed  me  copious  notes 
from  our  conversation,  arranged  in  the  most 
methodical  form,  for  the  anticipated  lecture 
on  the  following  day. 

"To-morrow,"  he  said,  "at  six  o'clock, 
your  words,  spoken  only  to  me,  will  be 
listened  to  by  hundreds.'* 


78  THE   WATCH  TOWJiR. 

How  the  Lord  supplies  !  He  wanted  help, 
and  he  had  it.  I  cried  for  blessing,  and  had 
received  more  than  I  asked !  1  listened  till 
my  friend  had  told  me  all  —  all  his  anxiety 
for  time  to  rest  and  leisure  after  his  journey, 
the  feeling  of  depression  at  being  called  to  a 
service  for  which  he  was  unprepared,  and 
much  more. 

And  then  I  answered,  "  I  prayed  that  the 
Lord  would  bless  you  in  some  way,  and  not 
suffer  you  to  lose  anytliing  by  your  relin- 
quishing your  own  plans  to  suit  mine,  for 
Christ's  sake.  I  asked  that  I  might  be  the 
channel  of  blessing,  and  receive  some  bless- 
ing through  you ;  and  these  hours  of  converse 
and  communion  are  from  Him.  Doubtless 
you  had  prayed  for  it  also. 

"  No,"  replied  my  companion,  with  some- 
thing of  sadness  in  his  tone  ;  "  I  never  thought 
of  it ;  but  I  thank  God  that  you  did."  And 
so  we  parted,  to  meet  no  more  on  earth. 

Strong  in  praise  for  answered  prayer,  I 
continued  my  journey,  asking  this  time  for 
a  Christian  traveller   through  the  only  part 


HOW  GOD  SUPPLIES.  79 

of  my  journey  that  presented  any  difficulty 
in  the  matter  of  a  conveyance  to  carry  me 
on.  My  prayer  was  hardly  breathed,  when 
a  Christian  officer  entered  the  carriage.  He 
had  long  dwelt  in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land, 
where  no  water  was,  and  he  greeted  me  as  a 
sister.  I  spoke  of  the  Lord,  who  had  that 
day  been  so  gracious  to  me,  and  he  listened 
with  eagerness  and  joy  to  the  praise  of  Him 
who  goes  before  His  people  to  make  Himself 
a  glorious  name.  My  way  was  smoothed 
and  made  bright  by  Him  who,  when  He 
called  me  to  follow  Him,  promised  to  supply 
all  my  need  out  of  the  riches  of  His  glory  in 
Christ  Jesus.  And  He  has  done  so;  for 
God  is  faithful. 


ONLY  A  SLING  AND  STONE. 

I  said,  "  Where  shall  I  flee.  ? 
My  foes  encompass  me. 
Lord,  keep  me  at  Thy  side : 
There  may  Thy  -weakest  hide." 
But  His  dear  voice  replied  — 

♦Tly  not !     /  am  thy  Shield. 
Thou  shalt  not  shrink  nor  yield. 
Nor  might  nor  prowess  own ; 
Take  thou  thj-  sling  and  stone, 
Trust  in  Thy  God  alone." 

"  Lord,  I  am  but  a  child, 

So  easily  beguiled. 

So  swiftly  overthrown," 

I  answered  with  a  moan ; 
"I  cannot  go  alone." 

"Say  not,  ' I  am  a  child ! '  " 
And  then  He  sweetly  smiled. 
And  every  fear  was  gone : 

"  Take  thou  thy  sling  and  stone ; 
Thou  shalt  not  <jo  alone  ! 

*'  Thine  eye  shall  be  on  Mine, 
My  hand  upholding  thine ; 
Though  ev'ry  friend  were  gone, 
Behold  thy  faithful  One  ; 
Child,  take  thy  sling  and  stone  I 


HOW   GOD   SUPPLIES.  81 

"Believe,  and  thou  sbalt  see 
My  arm  supporting  thee ; 
My  shield  is  o'er  thee  thrown, 
Thou  hast  its  shelter  known ; 
Take  now  thy  sling  and  stone.'* 

I  listened,  and  drew  near; 
Beneath  the  scoruer's  sneer 
I  heard  the  mocker's  tone  — 
"Not  thus  are  battles  won 
By  one  weak  child  alone." 

Ah!  then  I  marked  it  well: 
The  giant  reeled  and  fell 
Beneath  my  sling  and  stone, 
As  I  stood  there  alone ; 
But  a  bright  smile  on  me  shone. 

Come  doubt,  come  grief,  come  pain. 
Let  me  not  doubt  again ; 
I  have  not  stronger  grown. 
Nor  warfare  have  I  known  — 
Only  my  sling  and  stone. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  MESSENGER  FEOM  THE  HIGH  ROCKS. 

"  A  bird  of  the  air  shall  (.-aiTv  the  voice,  and  that  which  hath 
wings  shall  tell  the  matter." — Eccl.  x.  20. 

jNE  of  the  grandest  and  most  lovely 
lialting-places  of  my  pilgrimage  was 
at  Dessenzano,  on  Lago  di  Gardo, 
which  is  the  largest  of  the  Italian  lakes, 
being  thirty-five  miles  in  length,  and  in  the 
widest  part  nearly  seven  in  breadth. 

The  water  is  unlike  that  of  the  other 
lakes ;  it  is  intensely  blue,  and  in  it,  when 
calm,  the  coasts  are  imaged  like  fairy-land. 
The  vine  terraces  are  flatter  and  broader 
than  elsewhere.  Figs,  oranges,  and.  olives, 
abound ;  but  above  all  else  in  beauty  are  the 
groves  of  lemon,  whose  fruit  is  remarkable 
for  its  long  resistance  of  decay  ;  and  when 

82 


MESSENGER  FROM  THE  HIGH  ROCKS.       83 

the  breeze  sets  in,  in  the  direction  of  these 
plantations,  the  fragrance  is  unequalled. 
From  the  extreme  clearness  of  the  water, 
the  lake  seems  alive  with  carp  and  trout, 
and  other  brilliant  fish.  Yet  its  calm  and 
transparent  waters  are  swept  by  tempests 
more  fierce  than  those  which  visit  most  of 
the  other  lakes.  Sudden  gusts  of  wind 
sometimes  burst  through  the  mountain  gul- 
lies, when  the  natives,  who  have  sense  of  an 
approaching  hurricane,  close  every  Avindow 
and  door,  the  rattling  of  which  is  the  signal 
for  the  fierce  wind  to  break  the  calm  of  the 
lake,  and  lash  it  into  fury  like  a  roaring  sea. 
I  was  in  the  large  hotel  alone,  with  the 
exception  of  sixteen  cats  which  I  counted  on 
the  evening  of  my  arrival ;  and  my  only  oc- 
casional society  consisted  of  a  young  Gari- 
baldian  boatman,  a  Roman  Catholic,  who 
guided  my  boat  on  the  lake.  Ho  was  most 
bitter  in  his  invectives  against  the  priests  ; 
but  this  was  from  personal  feeling  rather 
than  from  any  religious  sentiment.  I  spoke 
to  him  only   of  Jesus,   without   advocating 


84  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

any  particular  religion,  and  suddenly  I  found 
that  he  listened,  and  received  with  interest 
the  Italian  tracts  I  brought  to  him. 

I  offered  to  send  him  a  Bible,  which  he 
joyfully  accepted,  at  the  same  time  giving 
me  minute  instructions  how  to  secure  it  in 
the  most  careful  manner  from  the  curiosity 
of  the  village  postman,  as  he  feared  to  lose 
it. 

I  had  prayed  to  be  guided  to  some  quiet 
spot,  to  perpare  a  manuscript  for  press. 
And  here  I  would  note  the  necessity  of  re- 
membering the  form  of  our  petitions.  I  per- 
fectly recollect  praying  to  be  allowed  to 
write  the  two  first  chapters  of  one  of  my 
books  here.  My  only  exercise  was  the  boat 
on  the  lake,  and  my  only  companion  was 
Pietro,  the  boatman,  to  whom  I  stammered 
my  Italian  scriptures,  which  he  would  listen 
to,  and  correct  me,  in  his  patois. 

A  young  sister  whom  he  tenderly  loved 
had  lately  died,  and  whom  the  priest  had 
refused  to  shrive,  without  a  silver  piece,  which 
Pietro  refused  to  pay  to  him.     Most  touching 


MESSENGER  FROM  THE  HIGH  ROCKS.       85 

was  the  description  he  gave  me  of  his  cara 
Lucia,  as  he  pressed  her  to  confess  herself 
to  the  Saviour;  for  that  Jesus  would  hear 
her  as  soon  as  the  priest.  The  poor  child 
was  comforted  at  the  thought,  and  she  did 
confess  to  Jesus,  and,  as  Pietro  described  it, 
si  e  died  in  perfect  happiness.  All  his  life's 
joy  was  this  little  sister,  who  had  prayed  for 
him  during  the  war.  He  had  been  preserved 
through  the  battle  of  Solferino,  where  forty 
thousand  had  been  killed  or  wounded  in  the 
short  but  fearful  struggle ;  and  he  had  only 
returned  home  to  see  her  die. 

But  to  return  to  the  lessons  I  learned 
there.  The  two  chapters  of  my  book  were 
completed,  and  I  was  accustomed,  in  some 
measure,  to  the  loneliness  of  the  desolate  old 
inn,  which  was  situated  under  the  shadow  of 
the  highest  mountain,  and  overhanging  the 
grand  and  often  turbulent  lake. 

As  there  was  seldom  any  one  beyond  a 
passing  guest  in  the  hotel,  I  decided  in  my 
own  mind,  that  it  was  the  place  to  write,  and 
that  I  would  remain  for  some  weeks,  until 


86  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

my  work  was  done ;  but  it  is  not  given  us  of 
ourselves  to  know  when  our  work  is  done. 
I  lost  all  power  of  writing.  I  prayed  for  it 
to  be  restored,  and  for  the  strange  shadow 
which  loured  over  me  to  pass  from  my  soul. 
It  is  often  so  with  God's  children  ;  at  least  I 
can  answer  for  myself.  It  seems  good  for 
me  to  do  and  succeed  in  work  which  is  un- 
doubtedly mine:  but  "times"  the  Lord 
keeps  in  His  own  power.  What  may  be 
appointed  for  us  at  certain  seasons,  is  out  of 
season  when  we  are  carrying  it  on  in  our 
own  will  and  way ;  we  look  upon  our  suc- 
cess and  call  it  blessing,  though  it  has 
wrought  nothing  in  our  own  soul,  while  we 
overlook  the  dealing  of  the  Lord  with  us 
individually,  to  bring  us  into  conformity 
with  Himself.  There  is  the  gift  of  speech, 
but  there  is  also  that  of  utterance ;  there  are 
letters,  but  there  are  also  letters  weighty  and 
powerful ;  there  is  faith,  but  also  the  gift  of 
faith  to  remove  mountains  of  doubt,  and 
work  v/onders  ;  but  all  can  be  set  aside  in  a 
mom<3nt  by  a  breath  of  the  Lord. 


MESSENGER  FROM  THE  HIGH  ROCKS.        87 

"  Give,  Lord,  or  -withholcl  then 
What  Tiiou  scest  best ; 
Not  upon  thy  gifts,  Lord  — 
On  Thyself  I  rest." 

It  was  the  Lord's  will,  I  am  assured,  that 
led  me  there  to  do  the  work  He  had  ap- 
pointed me;  but  noi:  less  was  the  service  to 
the  young  Garibaldian,  whom  I  did  not 
make  so  much  the  subject  of  my  thought 
and  pra3'er.  Both  were  given  me  of  the 
Lord,  and  one  duty  has  no  more  right  to 
usurp  the  place  of  another  duty  than  one 
star  to  displace  another  in  its  orbit.  "  This 
ought  ye  to  have  done,  and  not  to  leave  the 
other  undone." 

With  the  eye  on  Jesus,  life  flows  out  in 
blessing,  whether  man  beholds  it,  or  behold- 
ing it  scorns  it ;  or  whether  it  passes  only  in, 
the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  of  spiritual  princi- 
palities and  powers,  before  whom  we  walk 
as  witnesses  of  the  grace  of  God,  through 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb  slain.  If  the  Lord 
graciously  uses  the  talents  with  which  lie 
has  endowed  us,  and  gives  us  the  work  sweet 


88  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

to  our  heart,  we  must  not  forget  that  cross- 
carrying  is  not  marked  out  for  the  ransomed 
people  through  flowery  glades;  the  continual 
crucifixion  must  go  on.  When  one  is  deeply 
engrossed  in  any  employment  in  the  service 
of  God,  there  is  a  certain  elation  of  spirit 
which  is  often  miscalled  "  joy  in  the  Lord," 
but  is  the  exuberance  of  nature's  enjoyment ; 
and  when  the  laborer  to  others'  eyes  may 
appear  an  accomplished  servant,  rejoicing  in 
the  special  favor  of  the  Master,  that  very 
elation  may  have  dulled  the  inward  sensi- 
tiveness, which  so  easily  dies  in  the  sunshine 
of  prosperity  and  unwatchfulness,  when  the 
feet  are  out  of  the  way,  or  the  heart  is  para- 
lyzed by  unbelief;  and  indeed  we  may,  and 
do  as  truly,  and  often  unconsciously,  shrink 
from  the  cross  in  watchful  obedience,  as  in 
any  other  service.  This  is  realized  in  soli- 
tude, in  the  busy  family,  in  the  prosperous 
business,  in  the  work  of  the  pastor  and  evan- 
gelist, helper  and  teacher.  God  is  faithful. 
He  withdraweth  not  His  eyes  from  the  right- 
eous :    He  careth  for  His   servants.       Most 


1 


MESSENGER  FROM  THE  HIGH  ROCKS.       89 

precious  are  the  vessels  of  His  sanctuary  in 
His  eyes,  nor  will  He  allow  them  to  become 
encrusted  by  the  world's  sloth,  or  filled  with 
its  ways  in  self-indulgence  even  in  His  ser- 
vice, which  is  no  service  except  under  His 
appointment. 

I  did  not  ask  the  Lord  if  He  would  have 
me  leave  the  place  ;  I  continued  to  pray  to 
Him  for  power  to  proceed  with  my  labor. 

The  fierce  hurricane  swept  over  the  lake 
so  suddenly,  that  more  than  once,  when  our 
boat  was  miles  from  the  hotel,  the  distant 
tokens  became  recognizable  even  to  myself 
from  constant  observation,  and  it  required 
all  the  skill  of  Pietro  to  bring  us  safe  to 
shore.  The  storm  often  burst  like  a  water- 
spout, preceded  by  a  few  heavy  drops,  splash- 
ing in  the  deep  silence  on  the  polished  leaves 
of  the  lemon  trees  in  the  grove. 

On  one  occasion  every  boat  was  ashore, 
and  aL  the  inhabitants  sought  shelter  from  a 
coming  storm.  Then  the  silence  was  follow- 
ed by  the  roar  of  wind,  which  sounded  like 
thunder.     My  excursions  on  the  lake  were 


90  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

at  an  end.  The  gray  coloring  in  which  the 
landscape  was  enveloped  gave  a  yet  more 
saddened  tone  to  my  mind.  With  a  darker 
purple  on  the  mountains,  a  deeper  shadow 
on  the  water,  without  one  ray  of  golden 
sunshine  to  brighten  the  gloom,  it  bore  some 
likeness  to  the  sadness  of  my  spirit.  Was  I 
not  bound  in  fetters,  and  holden  in  cords 
of  affliction  ?  As  it  was  of  old,  so  it  is  to- 
day, "  He  sheweth  them  their  work,  and 
their  transgressions  that  they  have  exceeded. 
He  oxieneth  also  their  ear  to  discipline."  (Job 
xxxvi.  9,  10.) 

Again  I  sat  at  my  desk.  Thoughts  once 
clear  now  became  a  tangled  skein,  and  I  de- 
cided that  the  thunder-storms  were  to  blame. 
I  had  prayed  for  power  to  write  my  third 
chapter.  This  was  the  answer,  "No!"  yet 
I  understood  not.  I  went  to  bed,  not  to 
sleep.  The  large  window  of  my  bed-room 
was  open,  and  I  could  watch  the  lightning 
as  it  passed  behind  the  mountain,  showing 
its  grand  outline,  and  occasionally  the  lemon 
terraces.     I  was  like  one  who  had  fallen  into 


MESSENGEK  FKOM  THE  HIGH  ROCKS.       91 

a  pit,  or  a  net,  without  life  or  power.  Mid- 
night had  passed,  and  the  early  hours  of  the 
morning  had  struck,  and  found  me  still 
watching.  A  shrill  cry  startled  me  from  my 
pillow.  A  large  bird  from  the  mountain, = 
with  a  rapid  flight,  allighted  on  a  crag  of 
rock  overhanging  the  terrace  beneath  my 
window,  and  with  a  cry  something  resem- 
bhng  that  of  a  peacock,  in  a  tone  as  plain  as 
my  pen  can  repeat  it,  cried,  "  Di-rect !  Di- 
rect !  "  and  having  delivered  his  message 
was  silent.  Like  a  flalsh  of  lightning  my  soul 
seemed  to  awaken  into  life.  I  saw  that  I 
had  asked  to  write  those  two  chapters  of  my 
book  ;  this  had  been  granted  to  me,  and  now 
I  must  pray  for  direction.  I  did  so.  I  saw 
that  I  must  leave  at  once.  I  could  only 
say,  "  I  believe  Thou  hast  directed  me  not 
to  tarry." 

I  arose  from  my  bed,  and  lighting  my 
lamp,  began  my  preparations.  It  was  obe- 
dience manifested  before  the  Lord,  and  from 
this  I  have  ever  received  blessing.  The 
peace  of  God  filled  my  soul,  and  asking  for 


92  THE   WATCH  TOWEB. 

a  little  sleep  to  recruit  mj  strength,  I  fell 
into  a  slumber,  and  awoke  refreshed,  and 
able  to  undertake  the  journey  which  lay 
before  me.  . 

,  I  knew  not  then  how  graciously  all  this 
was  ordered  for  me.  It  was  the  eve  of  the 
feta  of  Solferino,  when  it  would  have  been 
impossible  for  me  to  travel,  on  account  of 
the  multitudes  that  gather  from  all  parts  of 
Italy  to  the  fete^  and  when  the  hotel  would 
have  been  the  scene  of  revelry  and  mirth,  in 
commemoration  of  the  dead. 

On  the  day  of  my  departure  I  was  tempted 
to  think  that  after  all  he  did  not  care  for  the 
Bible  ;  but  at  the  station  was  my  friend  in 
his  gala  dress  to  do  me  honor,  and  to  remind 
me  of  my  promised  gift.  When  I  entered 
the  train  my  cloaks  and  umbrella  were  miss- 
ing ;  and  almost  before  I  could  express  my 
dismay  he  had  fled  like  a  bird  to  the  omni- 
bus, which  was  returning  to  the  hotel,  and  I 
had  only  time  to  receive  them  as  the  train 
was  in  motion,  and  to  see  how  great  was 
his  delight  at  having  performed  this  little 
Service. 


MESSENGER  FROM  THE  HIGH  ROCKS.       93 

The  earnest  face  of  the  young  Garibaldian 
was  my  last  sight  in  Dessenzano.  The  Holy 
Spirit  had  taught  him  there  was  access  to 
the  Saviour  ;  and  I  believe,  I  ^ust  believe, 
that  He  used  my  poor  stammering  accents  iu 
a  foreirjn  tonciuG  to  tell  of  the  blood-shed- 
ding  through  which  the  sinner  (and  he  knew 
he  was  a  sinner)  could  reach  the  Lord  of 
life. 

See  where  the  sunlight  falls 

In  its  golden  glow: 
Soft  through  the  olive  boughs 

Shadows  come  and  go. 
God  bade  the  lily  bloom, 

And  the  thunder  roll; 
Each  hatii  a  voice  from  Him 

To  the  list'ning  soul. 

Take  thou  the  cloud  from  Him, 

Take  thou  the  light ; 
Day  brings  the  eventide, 

Eventide  the  night. 
All  hath  a  word  from  Him  — 

Child,  listen  well. 
Learn  why  the  sunlight  failed. 

Why  the  shadow  fell. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS. 

"He  divided  the  sea,   and  caused  them  to  pass  through; 
and  He  made  the  waters  to  stand  as  an  heap." 

Ps.  Jxxviii.  13. 
"Peace  be  uuto  you;  as  my  Father  hath  seut  Me,  even  so 
send  I  you."  — John  sx.  21. 

^r 
HE  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered. 

If  the  life  of  Christ  on  earth  were  care- 
fully considered  in  its  minute  detail,  we 
should  have  more  practical  illustration  of 
doctrine  than  that  which  we  derive  from 
theories  which  men  give  of  how  we  ought 
to  walk.  The  pivots  on  which  many  mighty 
events  have  turned  are  unheeded,  and  yet, 
so  far  from  derogating  from  the  might 
and  majesty  of  the  great  Artificer,  they 
magnify  Him.  The  same  hand  which  cre- 
ated the  stars,  and  made  them  move  in  their 

94 


THE   UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS.  95 

courses,  formed  the  little  glowworm's  lamp, 
and  bade  it  shine  in  its  mossy  home.  There 
is  nothing  too  minute  to  work  the  work  of 
God. 

Withdraw  the  fish,  the  gourd,  the  worm, 
the  east-wind,  which  "  God  prepared,"  from 
the  book  of  Jonah,  and  how  should  we  un- 
derstand His  dealing  with  His  wayward 
servant?  How  much  should  we  lose  of  the 
long-suffering  and  loving-kindness  of  Him 
who  manifested  Himself  of  old,  as  He  man- 
ifests Himself  to-da}^,  in  dealing  with  His 
children  according  to  their  necessities,  lead- 
ing them  by  paths  which  they  know  not,  to 
work  out  His  wonders,  as  He  alone  knows  j 
"  for  He  looketh  to  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
and  seeth  under  the  whole  heaven." 

Therefore,  in  abiding  in  Him  you  serve,  it 
is  better  to  be  conscious  of  Himself  than 
conscious  of  any  success.  It  was,  it  is,  a 
solemn  thing  to  be  sent  of  God.  Moses 
shrank  from  it  before  the  unbelief  of  His 
people  and  the  anticipated  scorn  of  his  ene- 
mies.    "Send  by   whom   Thou   wilt  send" 


96  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

was  the  expression  of  his  reluctance,  which 
angered  the  God  who  had  called  him  to  that 
mighty  work  as  leader  of  His  chosen  people. 
Jeremiah,  from  his  conscious  weakness, 
would  excuse  himself:  "  Ah,  Lord  God!  be- 
hold I  cannot  speak ;  for  I  am  a  child." 
Isaiah  shrank  from  testimony  by  reason  of 
his  sense  of  sinfulness:  "  Woe  is  me!  for  I 
am  undone  :  because  I  am  a  man  of  unclean 
lips."  But  the  Lord  God,  when  He  sends  a 
messenger,  goes  with  him.  "  Peace  be  unto 
you :  as  my  Father  hath  sent  Me,  even  so 
send  I  you."  (John  xx.  21.)  "  Lo,  I  am 
with  you  alway."  (Matt,  xxviii.  20.)  That 
glory  which  overcame  Isaiah  has  been  veiled 
in  the  likeness  of  the  Man  that  Ezekiel  be- 
held on  the  throne,  who  paid  His  earthly 
tribute  to  the  kings  of  the  earth  through  the 
piece  of  money  in  the  mouth  of  a  fish,  the 
creature  of  His  hand.  He  has  been  "  de- 
spised and  rejected  of  men  ;  "  a  Man  of  sor- 
rows, and  acquainted  with  grief;  "  but  He  is 
in  us  and  with  us  now,  as  we  go  to  and  fro, 
and  follow  in  His  footsteps,  to  carry  uncou- 


THE   UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS.  97 

sciously  the  message  He  designs  to  "eeml. 
Oh,  to  be  faithful !  to  abide  in  Him,  that  we 
may  not  be  ashamed !  For  He  that  shall 
come  will  come,  shrouded  no  more  in  the 
bruised  and  lacerated  flesh,  but  in  the  bright 
effulgence  of  His  Father's  glory  v/hich  is  to 
be  revealed  !  Therefore,  to  any  who  mourn 
their  lack  of  service,  1  would  say,  "  Be  of 
good  cheer.  Abide  in  Christ.  He  went 
about  doing  good  ;  and  think  you  that  He 
cannot  do  the  same  in  you?  You  may  not 
see  the  fruitage  of  the  seed  until  the  harvest- 
home  ;  and  though  your  steps  are  circum- 
scribed, limit  not  the  power  of  Him  who 
dwelleth  in  His  temple,  and  let  it  not  be 
said  of  you,  *  He  did  not  many  mighty 
works  there  because  of  their  unbehef.'  " 

I  was  invited  by  a  lady,  a  friend  when  I 
was  in  the  world  and  of  it,  who  had  no  sym- 
pathy or  love  for  me  in  the  spiritual  sense, 
to  take  luncheon  with  her  on  a  certain  day. 
I  had  long  ceased  to  visit  at  the  house, 
where  I  found  it  impossible  to  obtain  a  hear- 
ing for  my  Master :  but  with  the  note  of  in- 


98  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

vitation  came  the  strong  conviction  to  my 
heart  that  I  must  go  ;  so,  as  I  had  other 
business  in  the  town  that  morning,  I  left 
early,  and  arrived  at  the  house  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  before  the  time  appointed.  The 
lady  received  me  coldly,  and,  with  an  ex- 
pression of  disappointment,  enquired  if  I 
had  not  received  her  note.  I  replied  in  the 
affirmative,  therefore  had  I  come.  The  re- 
ception was  startling.  She  proceeded  to  say 
her  sister  was  expected  to  return  to  them 
from  the  East  that  day,  and  she  had  written 
to  defer  my  visit.  The  pride  of  nature 
would  have  suggested  to  me  to  leave  the 
house  at  once,  but  a  power  stronger  than  na- 
ture kept  me  in  my  seat.  It  was  not  any- 
thing in  my  mind,  or  any  idea  that  God  had 
sent  me,  and  that  I  must  stay  there  ;  I  oidy 
felt  astonished  and  lost  in  wonder  as  to  what 
it  meant.  The  lady  looked  uneasily  at  me ; 
then  our  uncomfortable  silence  was  dis- 
turbed by  a  carriage  which  drove  to  the 
door,  and  the  servant  announced  the  ex- 
pected traveller. 


THE  UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS.  99 

The  lady  rose,  and,  closing  the  folding- 
doors,  received  her  in  the  other  apartment. 
Perhaps  a  quarter  of  an  hour  might  have 
elapsed,  when  they  entered  the  drawing- 
room  together,  and  with  the  cordial  greeting 
of  the  newly-arrived  sister  this  prayer  rose 
with  sudden  power  in  my  heart,  "  Lord,  let 
me  be  alone  with  her."  It  rose  in  faith  ;  so 
that  when  the  butler  entered  the  room,  in 
less  than  five  minutes  after,  I  knew  the  Lord 
had  answered  me.  The  servant  brought  a 
request  to  his  mistress  from  his  master  that 
she  would  meet  him  at  once  in  the  library  to 
speak  about  some  business  matter.  J\ly 
friend  and  I  were  left  alone.  We  had  never 
met  since  those  da3^s  when,  in  the  toils  of  the 
world,  we  were  together  on  the  road  that 
leadeth  to  destruction.  The  life  of  faith,  and 
everything  connected  with  it,  was  a  problem 
we  did  not  then  care  to  solve ;  nay^  we  had 
never  seen  or  believed  in  practical  Christian- 
ity. The  waves  and  billows  had  goiie  over 
me.  I  had  found  that  peace  which  passeth 
knowledge  ;  and  she,  without   such  sorrow, 


100  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

was  still  a  stranger  to  the  trutli :  "  Except 
ye  be  converted,  and  become  as  little  chil- 
dren, ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven." 

We  looked  each  other  in  the  face  after  a 
separation  of  ten  years.  Both  were  silent. 
After  a  long  gaze  of  tender  sj'-mpathy,  she 
said  gently,  "  Oh,  how  much  sorrow  you 
have  passed  through  since  we  last  met  I  " 

I  smiled  in  her  face,  and  asked,  "  Do  I  look 
very  miserable  ?  " 

"  No,"  she  answered,  turning  quickly  after 
a  searching  gaze  at  my  countenance.  "  Wl^ 
I  never  saw  you  look  so  happy.  How  is  it  ? 
What  does  it  mean  ?     Tell  me." 

I  put  my  arm  round  her,  and  rephed, 
*'  Since  we  parted  I  have  known  Jesus,  the 
Saviour  of  sinners,  my  Saviour.  Oh,  if  you 
knew  the  peace  and  joy  of  my  life !  "  And 
the  rest  I  whispered  in  her  ear,  as,  clasping 
her  in  my  arms,  I  drew  her  back  to  the  seat 
from  which  she  had  risen. 

She  did  not  speak.  She  listened  breath- 
lessly as  in  ra^jid  utterance  I  strove  to  tell 


THE   UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS.  101 

fofth  my  deliverance  from  death  and  liell, 
and  God's  love  and  mercy  in  the  gift  of  His 
beloved  Son.  Her  face  was  bathed  in  tears ;. 
but  not  a  word  passed  her  lips.  So  the  time 
went  on  until  the  lady  re-entered  the  room ; 
and  I  rose  fi-om  my  place,  not  as  before,  to 
linger,  or  marvel  if  the  Lord  had  indeed 
made  my  way  prosperous,  but  inwardly  to 
bow  down  my  head  and  worship.  And  I 
went  on  my  way. 

Together  the  lady  and  her  sister  paid  me  a 
brief  visit,  and  as  the  latter  left  the  room  she 
whispered,  "  Let  me  come  alone  at  six  to- 
morrow." 

She  came  to  ask  me  to  pray  with  her,  and 
we  spoke  of  the  joj'^s  of  those  who  are  de- 
livered from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into 
the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God. 

AVe  met  no  more  till  the  following  year ; 
and  then  never  shall  I  forget  the  astonish- 
ment with  which  I  heard  the  reply  to  my 
question,  "  How  came  you  to  receive  this 
blessed  faith  in  Christ  ?  " 

She  looked  in  my  face  Avith  surprise,  and 


102  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

with  a  bright,  beaming  smile,  fairer  than  in 
the  days  of  her  youth  and  beauty,  she  replied, 
"  Do  you,  then,  forget  the  day  when  you 
clasped  me  in  your  arms,  and  spoke  of  Jesus 
your  Saviour,  our  Saviour  ?  I  never  was  the 
same  since  that  moment.  It  came  to  me 
then  ;  and  I  was  changed." 

"  The  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered." 
Had  I  not  left  my  own  abode  before  the 
arrival  of  the  postman,  I  should  most  cer- 
tainly not  have  been  in  that  room  when  the 
traveller  arrived  ;  for  the  letter  I  found  on 
my  return  was  such  that  it  would  have  been 
impossible  for  me  to  have  paid  my  visit  at 
that  time.  Had  not  the  lady  been  with- 
drawn, I  could  not  have  spoken  to  one  whom 
I  had  known  only  in  the  companionship  of 
the  world  ;  and  had  not  a  power  stronger 
than  pride  kept  me  an  unwilling  guest,  I 
might  never  have  had  the  joy  of  being  the 
messenger  of  good  tidings  to  one  who  was 
indeed  born  of  God  from  the  simple  detail 
of  His  love,  "  that  whosoever  belie veth  in 
Him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting 
life." 


THE  UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS.  103 

Another  day  of  unconscious  ministry  was 
before  me.  One  autumn  evening,  after  a 
day  of  depression  and  weakness  which  fol- 
lowed a  long  illness,  I  made  the  effort  to 
reach  a  terrace  not  far  from  my  dwelling. 
It  overlooked  one  of  those  riclily-wooded 
English  vallej^s  the  like  of  which  one  sees 
nowhere  in  the  world.  The  gorgeous  tints 
of  oak  and  beech,  and  the  heavy  white 
clouds,  gathering  their  mellow  shade  from 
the  sunset,  would  at  other  times  have  filled 
my  heart  with  praise ;  but  now  I  was 
feelincr  how  little  nature  can  do  until  God 
speaks,  and  bids  it  soothe  and  refresh  the 
soul. 

I  was  leaving  the  place  after  many  months 
sojourn ;  and  as  I  looked  on  it,  I  seemed  to 
be  a  cumberer  of  the  ground,  and  marvelled 
why  I  had  been  led  there  at  all.  My  im- 
patience clouded  my  spiritual  vision,  and 
chafed  me  with  the  sense  of  my  helplessness. 
Tlie  natural  heart  knoweth  not  the  way  of 
the  Spirit ;  but  He  will  reveal  it  in  His  own 
time  to  the  soul  that  seeketh  Him.  As  I 
turned  homeward  I  cried  to  Him  v/hose  will 


104  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

I  had  forgotten  in  my  distress ;  and  as  the 
feeblest  moan  echoes  in  our  Father's  heart, 
He  took  away  my  sense  of  helpless  loneli- 
ness, and  the  desire  to  be  anywhere  or  any- 
thing but  what  he  had  seen  best.  So  what 
nature  could  not  do,  the  God  of  nature  had 
done. 

My  landladly  met  me  at  the  door,  and  told 
me  that  during  my  absence  a  stranger  had 
waited  to  see  me,  and  would  return  again.  I 
blessed  the  Lord.  I  thought  He  needed  me 
at  last,  and  though  on  the  eye  of  my  departure, 
He  had  yet  something  for  me  before  I  left 
the  little  tent  in  the  wilderness. 

There  entered  a  bright-faced  woman  from 
the  country,  the  messenger  of  the  Lord  to  me. 
She  had  not  been  with  me  many  minutes  be- 
fore I  felt  sure  she  belonged  to  Him  who 
subdues  my  heart  with  His  love. 

"I  am  sure  you  love  the  Lord  Jesus,"  1 
said.  Her  face  answered  the  question ;  there 
was  no,  "  Well,"  "  I  hope,"  but  a  joyful 
"I  do." 

"  And  how  long  have  you  rejoiced  in  Hia 
love  ?  " 


THE  UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS.  105 

"Long  ago  I  knew  of  Him,  but  I  have 
been  a  backslider  for  years,  but  now  I  have 
Him  ;  "  and  then  after  a  little  hesitation  she 
told  me  her  errand. 

I  had  found  so  few  outlets  for  service  that 
I  requested  one  of  the  linen-drapers  in  the 
town,  who  held  a  large  shop,  a  great  favorite 
with  the  market  people,  to  enclose  a  small 
book  and  tract  in  the  country  parcels,  to 
which  she  gladly  assented.  I  had  forgotten 
the  circumstance  that  day,  but  God  never 
forgets  (except  our  iniquities).  My  visitor 
told  me  that  from  time  to  time  with  her 
purchases  she  was  astonished  to  receive  the 
words  that  exactly  met  her  case,  or  that  of 
some  of  her  household.  The  first  she  re- 
ceived led  her  to  see  her  neglect  of  pra3'er 
for  her  children,  and  to  seek  salvation  for 
them,  and  the  H0I3'  Spirit  had  dealt  savingly 
with  one  of  her  sons.  She  had  been  drawn 
to  see  how  she  had  been  a  stumbling-block 
in  her  husband's  palh,  and  to  desire  that  her 
new  life  should  be  a  testimony  to  lead  him 
to  acknowledge    that   she  was  changed,  by 


106  THE  "WATCH  TOWEE. 

the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  She  could  not 
understand  how  her  case  should  be  known, 
and  she  entreated  the  linen-draper  to  tell  hei 
whence  came  those  enclosures.  The  shop- 
keeper reluctantly  gave  her  the  information, 
as  I  had  requested  secrecy.  My  happy  vis- 
itor told  me  that  suddenly  that  afternoon  her 
heart  was  so  full  of  love  and  gratitude,  that 
she  had  walked  to  this  place  to  express  to 
me  the  blessing  on  the  tiny  messenger  of  the 
market  parcels. 

"  And  how  were  you  restored  ? "  I  en- 
quired. 

"  From  a  verse  in  a  hymn  in  one  of  those 
new  hymn-books  used  in  the  room  where 
the  service  is  held  in  the  hamlet." 

Deg,r  reader,  the  tears  that  had  been  sent 
Lack  many  times  would  tell  my  joy  at  last, 
touched  to  the  depths  by  God's  love. 
Those  h3'mn-books  had  again  and  again  been 
renewed.  I  had  expressed  the  intention  to 
replace  them  no  more,  so  often  had  they 
been  taken  away ;  but  I  had  done  so,  and  it 
was  one  of  these  that  had  carried  life  and 
peace  to  this  happy  soul. 


THE  UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS.  107 

Husband  and  children  were  partakers  of 
the  blessing,  and  we  praised  together,  not 
only  that  day,  but  man}^  that  the  Lord  laid 
me  low,  to  do  His  work  according  to  [lis 
way.  From  the  brow  of  the  hill  I  had 
seen  the  winding  road  throucrh  that  fertile 
valley  where  trod  the  messenger  of  good 
tidings  to  me ;  and  when  the  set  time  was 
fully  come,  I  received  the  assurance,  that 
it  is  not  in  vain  "  to  be  about  my  Father's 
business." 

GOD'S  GOOD  GIFTS. 

"  God  thundcreth  marvellously  with  His  voice ;  great  things 
doelh  He  which  we  cannot  comprehend." — Job  xxxNni.  5. 

"The  eyes  of  them  tliat  see  shall  not  be  dim,  and  the  ears  -f 
them  that  hear  shall  hearken." — Isai^vii  x-xxii  3. 

I  did  not  ask  Him  for  a  harp, 

And  yet  a  harp  He  gave ; 
His  praise  was  slumb'ring  in  my  heart, 

Like  whispers  'neath  the  wave. 
The  storm  hath  rent  the  hidden  rock 

Ere  from  its  cave  it  tore 
The  pearl  and  weed  the  billows  cast 

Alike  upon  the  shore. 


108  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

Oh,  ■wondrous  forms  of  life,  that  make 

A  garden  in  the  deep ! 
And  wondrous  echoes,  mute  erewhile, 

In  deep,  untroubled  sleep, 
Until  the  God  of  glory  spake 

In  voice  of  majesty, 
And  o'er  the  many  waters  rolled 

Anthems  of  melody. 

So  Thou  hast  tuned  the  silver  strings 
.  That  once  Thy  tempest  wrung, 
And  bade  responsive  echoes  wake 

In  gladness  to  the  song. 
And  sinking  souls  have  loved  the  theme  ; 

Lord,  I  can  bless  Thy  hand 
Which  ruled  the  thunder  that  awoke 

The  chords  at  Thy  command ! 

Thus  pains  and  perils  teach  the  lore 

That  hearts  have  learned  alone, 
Interpreting  another's  woe 

By  learning  from  its  own. 
I  did  not  ask  Thee  for  a  bark. 

Oft  storm-tossed  on  the  sea  ; 
I  thank  Thee  now  — the  billows  brought 

Their  Lord  and  mine  to  me. 

Thy  presence  shed  a  glory  there : 

Thou  bad'st  my  terrors  cease, 
And  whispered  to  my  fainting  heart 

Thj'  covenant  of  peace. 
Weary  with  care  and  sorrow,  Lord, 

I  prayed  that  I  might  die  ; 
Thou  didst  not  my  petition  grant. 

But  soothed  mj'  bitter  cry. 


THE   UNSEEN  FOOTSTEPS.  109 

And  manifesting  all  the  grace 

Of  Thine  own  heart  for  me, 
Thou  bad'st  mo  live  and  learn  of  Him 

Whose  love  is  sympathj'. 
I  thank  Thee  that  Thy  wisdom,  Lord, 

My  heedless  prayer  denied ; 
And  for  my  stammering  songs  of  praise, 

A  harp  Thou  hast  supplied. 

I  prayed  Thee  for  a  peaceful  path, 

Wherever  Thou  might' st  lead; 
I  pictured  pleasant  pasture  lands 

In  Goshen's  grassy  mead  ; 
I  found  me  in  a  battle-field. 

Oft  wounded  and  afraid, 
That  I  might  learn  the  art  of  war, 

And  call  on  Thee  for  aid. 

Then  onward,  through  the  ■vvildemess, 

Encamped  on  barren  ground, 
I  sought  and  found  the  hidden  springs 

That  in  Thy  love  abound  ; 
And  bitter  waters  mocked  mj'  thirst, 

That  I  thenceforth  might  see 
Thou  onl3'  art  the  Branch  to  make 

Life's  waters  sweet  to  me. 

And  when  my  need  hath  cried  to  Thee 

My  daily  bread  to  give, 
Thou  gavest  angels'  food  to  me. 

And  bade  me  eat  and  live. 
Importunate  and  blind,  Thou  Icnow'st 

How  oft  Thou  would'st  have  saved  I 
My  foolish  heart,  that  weeping  loathed 

The  verj-  gifts  I  craved. 


110  THE  WATCH   TOWER. 

Choose  Thou  for  me !  Thy  gifts  are  good, 

Thy  way,  0  Lord,  is  best ; 
Grant  me  Thj'  presence  on  my  path, 

I  leave  to  Thee  the  rest. 
Still  tune  my  heart  to  Thy  dear  Name, 

Thy  mercies  sure  to  tell 
To  them  who  dread  the  -wintry  wavey 

Or  weep  by  Slarah's  welL 


CHAPTER  Vir. 

THE  MOTJNTAET  INN. 

"He  performeth   the  thing  that  is  appointed   for  me:   and 
many  such  things  are  with  Him." — Job  xxiii.  14. 

fHE  gathering   of  sticks   by  the   widow 
of  Zarephath,  to  kindle  the  fire  where- 
with to  bake  her  last  handful  of  meal, 
J 

was  not  to(»  trivial  for  record  in  holy  writ. 

It   was  a   most   important   link  in   Elijah's 

history ;  and  although  gathering  sticks  is  one 

of  the  commonest  employments,  this  story  is 

full  of  meaning  to  him   that  hath   ears  to 

hear.     The  ear  open  to  the  Spirit's  teaching, 

and  the  eye  of  faith  fixed  on  Jesus,  shall  see 

greater  things   than   these.     The   lost   axe, 

which  had  been  borrowed  by  the  sons  of  the 

prophets,  was  the  subject  of  one  of  the  most 

remarkable  miracles  wrought  by  the  hand  of 
m 


112  THE  WATCH   TOWER. 

Elislia.  We  are  dealing  with  ordinary  events 
every  day.  The  Father,  who  knoweth  we 
have  need  of  such  things,  meets  us  with  a 
precedent  to  strengthen  our  hearts  in  Him 
for  every  possible  contingency. 

We  need  closer  deahng  with  God  Himself, 
and  if  those  who  complain  that  they  are  cut 
off  from  Christian  fellowship  and  instruction 
would  only  give  the  Lord  God  the  position 
in  their  heart  which  He  has  designed  for 
them  in  this  solitariness,  they  would  behold 
such  evidence  of  His  daily  care,  His  grace 
and  goodness,  that  their  hearts  would  be 
knit  to  Him  in  yet  more  tender  relationship, 
instead  of  seeking  Him  only  at  stated  times, 
and  feeling  a  sense  of  shame  overclouding 
the  soul  at  omitting  some  formal  approach  to 
Him  ;  and  if  He  has  given  us  some  other 
means  of  communion,  we  shall  be  satisfied 
that  we  have  had  to  do  with  him.  (Sol. 
Song  i.  13.)  Thus  a  sweet  savour  of  the 
presence  of  the  King  is  perceived  by  tliose 
who  delight  in  Himself. 

Weary  with  the  noise  of  a  crowded  for- 


THE  MOUNTAIN   ENN.  113 

eign  hotel,  the  foolish  music  and  the  mad 
mirth  around,  I  asked  the  Lord  to  give  me  a 
season  of  quietude  over  His  own  Word.  A 
day  in  the  mountain  came  before  me  as  the 
most  feasible  manner  of  obtaining  this,  and 
hiring  a  little  cabriolet,  I  took  my  Bible  and 
my  staff  to  spend  the  afternooon  with  Him 
alone  in  the  quiet,  calm,  fragrant  air.  I 
alisihted  at  the  inn  at  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tain,  where  the  horse  and  driver  would  await 
me,  and  ordered  a  simple  repast  on  my  re- 
turn. The  housekeeper  showed  me  much 
kindness  by  indicating  a  route  very  easy  of 
access  from  the  garden  of  the  inn.  Her  di- 
rections given,  I  began  to  speak  to  her  of 
Him  who  was  my  companion  in  the  solitude 
for  which  she  had  given  me  her  sympathy. 
I  found  a  Christian,  and  the  joy  with  which 
she  greeted  me  it  would  be  difficult  to  de- 
scribe. The  end  is  soon  told.  I  spent  the 
afternoon  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  in  the 
common  room  of  the  inn,  in  communion  with 
my  Lord,  in  the  person  of  one  of  His  tried 
and  loving  followers,  and  returned  refreshed 
and  invigorated. 


114  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

As  I  pondered  how  it  came  to  pass,  I 
remembered  my  heart's  desire  had  been  to 
see  Jesus ;  I  believed  that  as  I  read  His 
Word  and  received  its  instruction  in  that 
pleasant  retirement  which  I  had  pictured  to 
myself,  I  should  have  met  with  all  I  longed 
for.  I  had  read  Him  in  a  living  epistle  of 
His  grace  and  goodness,  and  in  return  had 
been  privileged  to  show  one  more  lonely  than 
myself  the  blessedness  of  finding  Jesus  every- 
where. 

I  was  interested  in  tracing  the  life  of  this 
German  sister.  She  had  been  led  two  years 
before  into  fellowship  with  the  Lord,  and 
desired  to  dedicate  herself  to  His  service, 
and  for  this  purpose  proposed  herself  as  a 
member  of  one  of  the  numerous  Protestant 
sisterhoods  which  now  abound  in  England, 
where  she  had  long  resided.  Bat  her  views 
of  dedication  to  the  Lord's  service  seemed 
far  other  than  what  He  had  ordained  for 
her.  Before  she  could  enter  the  Deaconess' 
House  she  was  brought  almost  to  the  grave 
by  sickness,  from   which   the   doctors  gave 


THE   MOUNTAIN  INN.  115 

her  uo  hope  of  recovery,  save  by  a  return  to 
her  native  mountain  air.  How  this  was  to 
be  accomphshed  she  knew  not :  for  her  sav- 
ings had  been  exhausted  in  her  protracted 
illness.  An  advertisement  appeared  in  an 
English  paper  for  a  housekeeper  in  the  place 
vhere  I  found  her.  It  was  suggested  to  her 
to  apply  for  it.  She  shrank  from  the  idea. 
An  inn !  was  that  the  place  for  a  child  of 
God?  There  was  nothing  of  the  life  she 
thought  would  be  most  acceptable  to  the 
Lord;  but  no  other  opening  appeared  for 
her,  so  she  wrote,  and  was  engaged  at  once, 
and  went  on  her.  way  of  necessity,  without 
the  joy  of  seeing  that  the  Lord  had  made  it 
plain  before  her  face.  How  often  has  He  to 
say  to  us  to-day,  as  to  Israel  of  old,  "  How 
long  will  it  be  ere  they  believe  Me,  for 
all  the  signs  which  I  have  shewed  among 
them  ?  "     (Num.  xiv.  11.) 

Her  knowledge  of  the  EngUsh  language 
made  her  acceptable  to  many  travellers,  who 
were  unacquainted  with  German.  Scarcely 
had  she  settled  down  in  her  new  and  strange 


116  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

abodej  than  a  joiing  Englishman  on  de- 
scending one  of  the  mountains  fell  ana 
broke  his  arm.  The  fever  that  ensued  gave 
her  an  occasion  of  bringing  into  practice  her 
nursing  accomplishments,  which  she  thought 
would  only  find  a  field  in  a  Deaconess' 
Home.  Then  she  began  to  see  that  in  fol- 
lowing the  Lord  she  could  never  miss  a 
service.  This  first  sign  of  blessing  was 
cause  for  thankful  praise  also  to  a  Christian 
famil}^  in  finding  unexpectedly  such  tender 
care  over  one  dear  to  them,  and  one  who  re- 
ceived spiritual  blessing  in  a  foreign  land. 
Many  cases  followed,  which  proved  to  the 
least  observant  that  the  Lord  had  need  of 
her  there.  A  year  had  passed  ;  her  health 
was  restored  ;  she  had  won  the  good  will  of 
the  landlords  (brothers),  who  were  able  to 
appreciate  honesty  and  integrity.  Their 
gains  nearly  doubled.  This  was  a  testi- 
mony ;  and  the  Lord  needs  His  witnesses 
everywhere,  by  the  wayside  inn,  as  well  as 
before  the  multitude. 

Men   of    the   world    appreciate   Christian 


THE  MOUNTAIN  INN.  117 

qualities  so  far  only  as  they  subserve  their 
own  interests.  The  money-loving  landlords 
admired  their  faithful  servant  because  she 
brought  them  much  gain.  So  it  will  be 
everywhere.  The  natural  man  admires  that 
which  adds  to  his  ease,  his  fortune,  or  his 
consideration  ;  nothing  more.  If  the  ease  is 
entrenched  on  for  the  Lord's  service,  his 
fortune  touched  for  the  work  of  God,  his 
reputation  endangered  by  fear  of  mingling 
with  mean  people,  ah  !  those  who  were  be- 
fore designated  as  estimable  and  true  Chris- 
tians, according  to  his  interpretation,  become 
dangerous  fanatics.  Those  who  never  see 
Jesus  are  those  who  never  think  of  Him. 
Their  eyes  are  turned  from  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness,  and,  like  a  man  whose  back 
is  to  the  sun  in  its  meridian  glory,  he  sees 
Iiis  own  shadow,  and  nothing  else.  Wliereas 
the  eyes  of  one  accustomed  to  watch  where 
the  light  falls  will  follow  with  his  heart,  and 
expect  some  gleam  of  glory,  even  when  the 
clouds  are  darkest  and  the  road  roughest. 
I  saw  my  friend  of  the  inn  again.     This 


118  THE   WATCH  TOWEE. 

time  I  set  forth  for  that  purpose.  I  could 
not  find  an  occasion  for  more  than  a  few 
minutes'  conversation  with  her ;  but  she 
asked  me  to  advise  her.  The  landlords  had 
expressed  their  intention  of  reducing  her 
salary,  which  was  most  unjust,  as  the  busi- 
ness had  prospered  under  her  superintend- 
ence ;  and  she  purposed  to  leave  at  once.  I 
urged  her  to  remain,  and  not  to  give  up  her 
post  merely  for  the  money's  sake ;  but  I 
pointed  her  to  our  unerring  Counsellor,  who 
had  His  own  times  and  seasons  for  removing 
His  witnesses.  I  left  her  a  few  English 
books  which  she  prized,  and  parted  from 
her,  not  expecting  to  see  her  again. 

However,  in  the  winter  a  forced  and  rapid 
journey  over  this  pass  brought  us  to  this 
same  inn  to  halt  for  a  relay  of  horses  to  our 
sleigh.  The  German  came  forward  to  disen- 
cumber me  from  my  heavy  mantle  sprinkled 
with  the  falling  snow,  and  as  I  dropped  my 
hood  she  gave  an  exclamation  of  amaze- 
ment. She  recalled  everything  but  my 
name.     She  was  in  deep  trouble  ;  her  salary 


THE  MOUNTAIN  INN.  119 

had  not  only  been  curtailed,  but  great  dis- 
Batisfaction  had  been  expressed  by  her  em- 
ploj'ers  that  she  would  not  lend  herself  to 
mean  and  unworthy  practices  to  add  more  to 
their  gain  than  her  earnest  industry  had 
probably  done.  Little  did  she  expect  that 
the  Lord  would  send  her  human  help  that 
drear  November  morning.  But  God  has  his 
messengers  everywhere ;  and  the  soul  that 
sees  no  human  help  can  lean  on  His  promise ; 
"  Call  unto  Me,  and  I  will  answer  thee,  and 
shew  thee  great  and  mighty  things,  which 
thou  knowest  not."  It  seemed  clear  to  me 
to  say,  "  Go  ;  the  Lord  it  is  that  goeth  be- 
fore thee,"  a  direction  upon  which  she  acted 
without  delay.  I  had  received  an  answer  to 
prayer  that  morning  in  the  person  of  an 
aged  Swiss  Christian  who  was  so  far  my 
companion,  assisting  me  greatly  on  the  road, 
and  this  encouraged  her  heart. 

As  I  bade  my  German  friend  adieu,  I  felt 
the  warmth  of  Christ's  love  in  my  heart 
from  the  gleam  of  gratitude  that  shone  in 
her    pale,    distressed    countenance,    and    it 


120  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

cheered  me  through  •  that  day  of  rough 
travel,  the  coldest  and  bleakest  in  my  re- 
membrance. It  was  such  a  poor  service  to 
be  so  richly  repaid  1  I  had  not  even  gone 
out  of  my  way,  or  suffered  for  it ;  only 
spoken  a  word.  I  said,  "  If  the  Lord  had 
chosen  me  to  go  to  the  heathen  in  his  own 
land,  and  present  salvation  to  him,  should  I 
not  have  esteemed  it  an  honor  ?  but  if  He 
sends  me  with  only  a  word  of  comfort  to 
one  sad  heart  that  calls  Him  '  Lord '  among 
the  snows  of  Switzerland,  shall  I  not  also 
praise  Him  ?  "     I  did  so. 


THE  GOLDEN  PROMISE. 

"Lo,  T  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 
Matt,  xxviii.  20. 

Halt !  another  milestone 

Marks  the  road  I  travel ; 

Dark  the  desert  pathway 

Still  before  me  lies ; 

He  who  bade  me  follow, 

Strength  and  light  bestoweth 

For  that  homeward  journey 

Hidden  from  my  eyes. 
"  I  will  never  leave  thee," 

Echoes  o'er  the  mountain; 
"I  will  ne'er  forsake  thee," 

Trust  the  word  He  saith ; 
•♦For  this  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever; 
He  will  be  our  Guide  even  unto  death." 

Past  the  pathless  river 
Deserts  lie  before  me ; 
Cloud  and  fiery  pillar 
Lead  me  on  alone : 
Fountains  fresh  and  manna 
Tell  WHO  goes  before  me  ; 
Elims  wait  my  weariness 
When  my  journey's  done. 
Christ  Himself  is  smiling 
On  each  faint  endeavor. 
Forward !  through  the  desert  I 
On  from  faith  to  faith! 
"For  this  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever; 
He  will  be  our  Guide  even  unto  death." 
121 


122  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

Thorns  and  briers  may  wound  me} 
He  is  near  to  heal  me, 
Near  to  fight  my  battle, 
Put  to  flight  my  foe; 
Near  to  cleanse  my  garments 
If  I  careless  wander ; 
Near  to  sweeten  Marah 
All  the  way  I  go ! 
Trust  Him,  only  trust  Him ; 
Who  the  bond  can  sever? 
Feebly  may  I  follow. 
But  follow  still  in  faith  ; 
•  For  this  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever ; 
He  will  be  our  Guide  even  unto  death." 

Halt !  Anoint  the  milestone 
With  the  oil  of  gladness ; 
Best  awhile,  and  ponder 
On  the  unseen  way. 
Praise  shall  bring  our  blessings 
Down  the  golden  ladder. 
And  the  golden  promise 
Turn  our  night  to  day. 
"  Speak,  Thy  servant  heareth  ; " 
Henceforth  let  me  follow  — 
Let  me  trust  the  living  God, 
And  every  word  He  saith ! 
"For  this  God  is  our  God  for  ever 'and  ever; 
He  will  be  our  Guide  even  unto  aeath." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

LIGHT  IN  THE    DABKNESS. 

"Lo,  all  these  things  worketh  God  oftentimes  wilh  man.' 
Job  xxxiii.  29. 


Ofl 


1^ 


^E  have  to  deal  with  the  human  heart 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  our  Brother  on  His 
Father's  throne,  His  Father  and  our 
Father.  His  name  is  Wonderful,  the  Faithful 
and  True  Witness,  and  "  they  that  know 
Thy  name  will  put  their  trust  in  Thee  :  for 
Thou,  Lord,  hast  not  forsaken  them  that  seek 
Thee."  (Ps.  ix.  10.)  It  is  Himself  we 
need.  Were  He  the  object  of  our  contem- 
plation, we  should  cease  to  be  in  captivity  to 
the  things  of  time.  It  is  the  lack  of  abiding 
in  Him,  in  whom  dwelleth  all  the  fulness  of 
the  God-head  bodily,  that  causes  disunion 
among  the  people   of   God,  and   a   morbid 

123 


124  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

sensitiveness  to  the  approval  of  men.  It  is 
because  of  this  neglect  of  dealing  personally 
with  the  Lord  Himself,  that  things  common 
and  unclean  are  not  cleansed  and  sanctified, 
and  do  not  become  mediums  of  communica- 
tion and  blessing. 

To  be  filled  with  the  fulness  of  Him  who 
filleth  all  in  all,  we  need  only  the  will  of  God 
to  be  done  in  us.  He  is  wilhng  to  become 
all  things  to  us,  if  we  desire  Him  in  all 
things.  All  the  loving  thoughts  and  desires 
that  are  constantly  seeking  expression  in  the 
heart  that  loves  Him  are  winged  seeds  of 
blessing  ;  not  one  is  lost. 

Nothing  can  satisfy  an  immortal  being  but 
immortality  ;  nothing  can  satisfy  the  soul  but 
communion  with  Him  from  whom  came  its 
life,  and  through  whom  it  is  sustained.  And 
this  cannot  be  in  abstract  meditation,  which 
would  necessitate  our  withdrawal  from  life's 
homely  cares  and  necessary  avocations  ;  but 
in  seeking  Him  in  all,  finding  Him  in  every 
thing,  and  in  nowise  supposing  that  any  cir- 
cumstance can  hinder  us  fi'om  blessing  and 
being  blessed. 


LIGHT  IN   THE  DARKNESS.  125 

"When  the  Jews  took  up  stones  to  cast  at 
the  Lord,  He  passed  by  a  man  that  was  blind 
from  his  birth  (John  viii.  59;  ix.  i),  and 
paused  to  work  the  work  of  Him  that  sent 
Him,  "  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  to  bind 
up  the  broken-hearted,  to  comfort  them  that 
mourn."  It  is  the  same  to-day.  If  He  passes 
by,  rejected  by  some,  there  waits  one  who 
has  need  of  His  healing  touch.  His  sweet 
comfort,  His  guiding  hand,  His  word  of 
warning;  and  this  should  bring  forth  the 
testimony  which  shall  rejoice  our  Father 
which  is  in  heaven. 

We  hear  of  testimony  from  the  first  love 
of  the  heart ;  but  why  should  that  first  love 
ever  be  cold  ?  The  glad  surprise  of  salvation 
from  eternal  death  may  well  call  forth  our 
testimony  of  praise  and '  thanksgiving  ;  but 
is  there  not  the  same  cause  every  day  for 
mercies  ever  new,  the  fountain  that  is  ever 
flowing  fresh,  and  bright,  and  beautiful  ? 
Life  is  revealing  Jesus,  in  a  thousand  secret 
springs,  to  the  thirsty  soul.  If  the  heart  has 
lost  its  first  love,  it  is  that  it  has  ceased  to 


126  THE  "WATCH  TOWER. 

gaze  on  Him  who  first  inspired  it.  Neglect- 
ing to  watch  for  His  hand,  we  lose  desire  for 
His  companionship  ;  so  that  there  is  neither 
testimony  nor  blessing;  for  unless  the  soul 
realizes  the  preciousness  of  Him  whom  she 
would  commend  to  others,  that  testimony  is 
powerless. 

I  knew  a  Christian  woman,  lowly,  sad- 
hearted,  often  discouraged,  and  in  feeble 
health.  Her  husband  had  been  long  in  the 
infirmary  ;  three  of  her  children  had  died ; 
she  had  not  any  work ;  and  what  with  nursing 
her  sickly  infant,  household  cares,  and  deep 
poverty,  she  said,  "  I  often  lie  down  on  my 
bed  so  weary  that  I  can  only  say,  '  Lord,  help 
me!'" 

"  One  night,  when  more  worn  out  than 
usual,  I  had  fallen  asleep.  Then  I  saw,  in  a 
wonderful  vision,  that  I  had  died  where  I 
lay,  and  my  spirit  rose  as  though  wings  bore 
me  up.  Many  more  people  had  died  at  the 
same  moment,  and  had  reached  the  gate  of 
heaven  before  me.  The  Saviour  was  there 
receiving  them  one  by  one,  and  welcoming 


LIGHT  IN  THE  DARKNESS.  127 

them  to  their  heavenly  home.  I  stood  aloof. 
He  looked  so  weary,  though  He  smiled  so 
kindly,  and  the  hand  stretched  out  to  wel- 
come His  people  was  a  pierced  hand.  '  Will 
He  welcome  such  a  sinner  as  I,'  thought  I,  as 
I  stood  back,  and  did  not  dare  to  enter. 
But,  though  afar  off,  His  eye  rested  on  me. 
Making  His  way  through  the  throng.  He 
took  me  by  the  hand  and  led  me  Himself  up 
to  the  door  of  heaven,  and  1  awoke.  Oh, 
how  weary  He  looked  !  I  could  only  think 
of  that.  I  thought,"  said  the  poor  woman, 
"  my  sins  and  unbelief  had  helped  to  weary 
Him." 

The  feeling  of  gratitude  for  this  marvellous 
sympatliy  of  Him  who  bare  our  sicknesses, 
awakened  in  her  heart  a  new  experience  of 
His  love  who  had  so  loved  her  and  given 
Himself  for  her;  and  the  weary  one  was 
able  henceforth  to  believe  that  in  all  her 
afflictions  He  was  afflicted,  and  the  spirit 
of  heaviness  was  changed  for  the  garment 
of  praise.  Do  not  limit  the  Lord,  or  try  to 
prescribe  as  to  how  or  where  He  will  man- 


128  THE   WATCH  TOWEE. 

ifest  Himself.  His  ways  are  not  your  ways, 
neither  His  thoughts  your  thoughts. 

While  waiting  to  make  some  purchases  in 
a  shop,  my  attention  was  attracted  to  the 
mistress,  who  was  engaged  with  another 
customer.  .She  was  cheerful  in  speaking, 
but  when  she  ceased  an  expression  of  deep 
affliction  was  visible  on  her  face.  I  waited 
until  we  were  alone,  and  then  spoke  of  the 
rest  there  is  in  casting  all  our  cares  on  Him 
who  careth  for  us,  and  the  sympathy  Jesus 
has  with  His  sorrowful  ones.  Tears  came  to 
her  eyes,  and  I  observed  her  new  mourning 
dress.  She  replied  that  she  had  learned  that 
sorrow  was  one  of  the  means  to  draw  our 
hearts  to  Him,  and  added  ; 

"  I  have  lost  four  children,  and  the  last, 
the  youngest,  a  child  of  eighteen  months  old, 
was  the  hardest  to  give  up.  He  seemed  to 
be  the  Lord's  from  his  birth ;  he  never  cried, 
or  was  impatient  or  fretful ;  he  was  more  in- 
telligent than  any  of  our  other  cliildren  —  far 
beyond  his  years.  My  little  girl,  who  is  six 
years  old,  loved  him  fondly ;  she  was  like  a 


LIGHT  IN  THE   DAllKNESS.  129 

little  mother  in  her  love  to  him.  The  day- 
came  when  my  precious  boy  was  taken  ill, 
and  through  that  short  illness  his  patience 
was  unlike  anything  I  ever  saw.  Ilis  eyes 
seemed  to  gaze  upwards  with  an  expression 
of  heavenly  joy  as  if  he  saw  the  Saviour. 
He  died,  and  Lucy  refused  to  be  comforted  ; 
all  her  cry  was  for  her  dear  brother  Harry. 
She  lost  her  appetite  and  sleep,  and  would 
not  play  as  before.  We  saw  her  droop,  and 
thought  we  might  lose  her  also.  Early  one 
morning  my  husband  and  myself  were  awak- 
ened by  the  voice  of  the  child  who  slept  in  a 
crib  near  the  window.  The  morning  light 
fell  on  her,  and  we  saw  that  she  was  kneel- 
ing in  her  bed.  Her  face  was  turned  upwai'd 
•in  awe  and  delight,  and  we  heard  her  repeat- 
edly say,  '  O  Lord  I  O  Lord  I  '  We  did 
not  interrupt  her,  and  after  a  time  she  lay 
back  on  her  pillow,  and  we  supposed  her 
asleep.  An  hour  later  the  servant  brought 
the  youngest  child,  and  placed  it  in  her  bed, 
when  she  said  cheerfully,  '  I  shall  never  cry 
again   about   Harry,    I   have   seen  him.     A 


130  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

beautiful  gentleman,  all  in  white,  came  to 
me  this  morning  with  Harry  in  his  arms, 
and  Harry  looked  so  happy.  He  stopped 
a  long  time,  and  I  was  happy  too.'  From 
that  day  she  revived  ;  but  she  never  speaks 
of  our  boy.  She  has  regained  her  appetite 
and  strength,  and  we  are  full  of  thank- 
fulness." 

I  could  not  refrain  from  tears  to  think  of 
the  amazing  goodness  and  tender  pity  of  the 
Lord,  who  amid  the  songs  of  angels,  and  the 
praise  of  His  saints,  and  the  confession  of 
His  contrite  ones,  heard  the  sorrowful  wail 
from  the  desolate  young  heart,  and  stooped 
to  dry  the  tears  of  a  little  child.  Blessed 
One,  make  us  to  love  Thee  more  for  Thy 
exceedino;  tenderness  to  the  little  ones  of 
Thy  flock. 

The  feeble  lamb  upon  His  bosom  hiding 

Is  precious  as  the  strong ; 
In  tender  love  behold  the  shepherd  guiding 

The  weary  one  with  young. 

At  a  time  of  sharp  proving  after  much 
blessing,  I  found  myself,  weary  in  body  and 


LIGHT  IN  THE  DARKNESS.  131 

tried  in  spirit,  close  upon  the  Lake  of  Como. 
Like  Jacob,  I  was  looking  on  circumstances, 
and  almost  ready  to  exclaim,  "  All  these 
things  are  against  me,"  forgetting  the  patri- 
arch's deeper  experience  of  the  faitlifulness 
of  Jehovah,  "I  have  waited  for  Thy  salva- 
tion, O  Lord."  In  waiting,  that  salvation 
shall  be  seen  !  To  wait  on  the  Lord  con- 
tinually, is  "  never  to  be  confounded "  by 
any  array  of  circumstances,  however  per- 
plexing to  outward  sense.  To  realize  that 
we  are  in  His  hand  which  holds  the  world, 
the  hand  pierced  for  us,  —  this  is  peace, 
this  is  rest.  The  special  preparation  for 
service  is  trial,  and  Satan  will  ever  seek  to 
disturb,  or  depress,  or  tempt  the  soul  that 
has  seen  the  results  of  a  battle  with  the 
enemies  of  the  Lord. 

Immediately  after  his  praj'cr  was  an- 
swered, the  man  of  God  listened  to  the  voice 
of  the  prophet,  who  lied  unto  him  (1  Kings 
xiii),  although  he  had  received  from  the 
Lord  Himself  direction  as  to  his  service 
and  his  way.     When  tlie  king  invited  him 


132  THE  "WATCH  TOWEE. 

to  refresh  himself,  he  was  on  his  guard,  and 
refused;  but  when  one  who  professed  to 
be  a  prophet,  with  the  word  of  the  Lord  in 
his  mouth,  came  to  tempt  him,  then  Satan 
triumphed. 

Abraham  had  been  brought  into  intimate 
communion  with  the  Lord  —  he  had  seen  the 
God  of  all  the  earth  willing  to  listen  to  his 
prayer,  and  to  stay  his  judgment  on  the 
wicked  according  to  the  pleading  of  His 
servant.  The  patriarch  had  beheld  that 
judgment  executed  when  he  had  ceased  to 
intercede,  yet  he  could  not  trust  the  wife 
whom  he  loved  to  the  care  of  the  God  he 
honored. 

After  David's  signal  deliverances  from  the 
hands  of  his  enemies,  when  the  favor  of  the 
Lord  had  compassed  him  as  with  a  shield,  he 
said  in  his  heart,  "  I  shall  now  perish  one  day 
by  the  hand  of  Saul.  There  is  nothing  bet- 
ter for  me  than  that  I  should  speedily  escape 
into  the  land  of  the  Philistines." 

After  the  -marvels  worked  by  the  prayer 
of  Elijah  he  was  afraid,  and  weary  of  testi* 
mony  and  service,  he  cried,  "  Let  me  die.' 


>> 


LIGHT   IN   THE  DARKNESS.  133 

After  the  miracle  of  five  thousand  men  fed 
in  the  desea't  place  from  five  loaves  and  two 
fishes,  the  disciples  could  not  trust  the  Sav- 
iour to  save  them  from  the  storm.  And  why  ? 
The  answer  applies  to  all,  "  Because  they  did 
not  consider  ;  "  showing  us  that  no  amount  of 
blessing  in  the  Lord's  service  can  guard  the 
heart  from  the  snare  of  the  fowler.  Unbelief 
is  the  parent  of  fear.  "  Fear  hath  torment.'' 
Fear  is  of  the  devil.  The  Lord  knoweth  our 
hearts,  and,  for  the  encouragement  of  His 
people,  "  Fear  not  "  abounds  in  Ilis  word : 
failure  arises  from  the  lack  of  considering 
what  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  us 
and  can  do  for  us :  "  For  this  our  heart  is 
faint ;  for  these  things  our  eyes  are  dim." 
(Lam.  V.  17.) 

In  my  early  spiritual  life  Emily  Gosse 
warned  me  of  this  snare,  adding,  "Satan 
w  ill  not  tempt  you  with  a  silver  opera  ticket, 
but  lie  has  studied  the  weak  side  of  the 
citadel,  and  he  will  bring  to  bear  upon  you 
the  temptation  to  which  30U  are  most  likely 
to   succumb,  and   not   unfrequently   it    will 


134  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

arise  from  the  quarter  you  least  expect  it, 
and  when  you  tliink  you  are,  in  perfect 
safety." 

We  are  never  in  perfect  safety  but  when 
resting  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord  of  hosts. 
Everywhere  in  the  Scriptures,  and  in  the 
walk  of  each  follower  of  the  Lamb,  we  trace 
trial  and  temptation  preceding  or  following 
success  or  blessing.  The  Lord  must  prove 
the  vessel  He  ordains  to  honor.  What  grace 
and  divine  compassion  —  what  manifestation 
of  power  and  majesty  flow  from  the  cross  He 
places  in  love  on  the  neck  of  His  chosen 
witnesses  !  The  cross  is  the  glory  of  the 
Son  of  God,  and  to  bear  a  cross  is  to  par- 
take of  that  glory.  "  Our  light  affliction, 
which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a 
far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory."  Those  rough  billows  we  expected 
to  overwhelm  us  brought  the  Lord  on  their 
foaming  crests.  That  Avail  of  waters  we 
thought  would  for  ever  shut  us  in  with  our 
enemies  waS  made  the  means  of  their  de- 
struction, not  ours.     The  earthquake  (Acts 


IJGHT  HSr  THE  DAKKNESS.  135 

xvi.  26)  that  threatened  our  lives  and 
fortune,  opened  the  door  for  us  to  go  forth 
stronger  for  the  Lord's  hand  in  our  behalf, 
and  when  we  have  been  cast  out  of  one 
city,  it  has  been  to  be  sent  where  the  Mas- 
ter's testimony  and  blessing  awaited  us. 
The  viper,  that  to  the  eyes  of  others  seemed 
the  harbinger  of  our  disgrace,  was  but  the 
instrument  of  Him  who,  through  the  malice 
of  a  hidden  foe,  could  prove  the  experi- 
mental power  of  the  promises  of  God 
written  for  all  ages  (Luke  x.  19)  for  the 
followers  of  the  despised  Nazarene.  There- 
fore, shrink  not ;  for  the  bow  is  in  the  cloud, 
and  the  covenant  of  God  in  the  sure  mercies 
of  David. 

Forward  then,  and  leave  behind 
A  day's  march,  and  its  sorrow: 

He  who  bids  us  onward  now, 
Shares  our  path  to-morrow. 

Light  and  strength  for  us  are  stored 

Safe  in  God's  own  keeping: 
And  the  harvest  day  will  shine 

Brighter  for  our  weeping. 


136  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

God  has  been  with  me,  He  had  blessed 
me,  and  now  it  was  the  time  to  trust  Him ; 
but  mj  heart  was  heavy.  As  1  sat  on  the 
shore  of  the  lake  I  was  accosted  by  one  of 
the  boatmen,  and  invited  to  take  his  boat. 
After  a  few  minutes'  thought  I  gathered  up 
my  books  and  writing  materials,  which  had 
lain  idly  on  my  knee  in  the  sunshine  of  that 
glorious  afternoon,  entered  the  boat,  and 
bade  him  choose  the  direction.  He  told  me 
all  the  strangers  had  left  early  that  morning 
to  witness  a  grand  festa  in  honor  of  the 
patron  saint  of  a  neighboring  town,  and  his 
oars  had  lain  without  a  fare  to-day ;  but  why 
did  I  not  go  also  ? 

I  replied  that  I  was  waiting  for  another 
and  grander  festa,  that  would  never  weary 
me,  that  would  never  be  forgotten. 

This  aroused  his  curiosity,  and  he  en- 
quired for  whom  was  this  festa. 

I  pointed  him  to  i  Thess.  i.  10,  and  won 
his  attention ;  and  then,  as  he  still  ques- 
tioned, I  showed  him  Rev.  i.  7,  "  Behold, 
He  cometh  with  clouds,  and  every  eye  shall 
Bee  Him." 


LIGHT   IN  THE  DARKNESS.  137 

He  slowly  conned  the  words,  and  ex- 
claimed, "  It  is  true  !     It  is  true  !  " 

So  far  from  being  astonished  or  vexed  at 
my  repetition  of  the  glories  of  which  he  had 
never  heard,  he  evinced  some  respect  and 
favor  to  me  ;  and  seeing  that  I  now  desired 
to  be  silent,  he  spoke  only  when  I  addressed 
him,  taking  me  to  the  finest  reaches  of  the 
lake,  and  evidently  gratified  by  the  least  ex- 
pression of  admiration  on  my  part. 

I  had  never  seen  the  lake  so  lovely.  Its 
blue  waters  dimpled  in  the  sunshine,  the 
shores  on  either  side  were  rich  in  the  glory 
of  early  summer,  and  the  gorgeous  wreaths 
of  flowers  seemed  as  if  there  was  no  room 
to  fling  their  clustering  wealth  of  blossoms 
over  trellis,  and  bower,  and  wall. 

But  earth's  beauty  could  not  touch  my 
heart ;  it  was  waiting  for  the  Master's  voice, 
the  Master's  hand,  to  tune  it  and  bring  forth 
its  music. 

The  old  boatman  broke  the  silence  by 
saying,  "  Has  the  lady  seen  the  Cave  of  the 
Rock  and  the  Natural  Sculpture  ?  " 


138  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

"  I  do  not  care  to  see  it,"  I  replied,  "  it  ia 
notliing  to  me." 

"  True,"  replied  my  cicerone  ;  "  but  this  is 
marvellous  ;  it  is  God's  sculpture,  not  man's. 
This  would  give  pleasure  to  the  lady." 

I  did  not  reply,  and  we  went  slowly  on, 
the  oars  scarcely  breaking  the  reflection  of 
the  blue  mountains  and  shores  in  the  trans- 
parent waters. 

"  You  have  lost  the  best  thing  here,  until 
you  have  seen  the  Cave  of  the  Rock,"  still 
persisted  the  boatman. 

Thinking  that  he  would  leave  me  in  silence, 
after  we  had  visited  the  cave,  I  consented  to 
go,  and  bade  him  row  thither.  Glad  of  the 
permission,  he  turned  his  boat,  and  away 
from  the  bright  sunshine  and  sparkling  water 
and  green  shore,  we  passed  under  the  shadow 
of  a  great  rock ;  and  the  old  man,  glad  of 
the  rest,  let  his  boat  drift  with  the  current. 
He  told  me  of  the  danger  to  those  who  did 
not  understand  the  waters  here ;  it  was  the 
deepest  part  of  the  lake ;  but  he  had  lived 
on  the  lake  since  he  was  a  child,  and  I  need 
not  fear. 


LIGHT  m  THE  DARKNESS.  139 

It  was  a  strange  place.  He  brought  the 
boat  underneath  an  arch  of  the  rocks  where 
no  sunbeam  fell,  and  after  rowing  almost  in 
the  dark,  we  entered  the  cave,  which  seemed 
worn  by  the  action  of  the  water  which  it 
overhung,  and  was  unperceived  unless  by 
one  acquainted  with  its  locality. 

At  the  first  glance  nothing  was  perceptible ; 
but  as  my  eye  became  accustomed  to  the 
shadow,  I  saw  distinctly,  as  if  cut  out  from 
the  rock,  a  female  figure  larger  than  life,  in 
the  grasp  of  a  gigantic  hand  I  The  power  of 
the  latter,  and  the  helplessness  of  the  form 
that  yielded  to  it,  were  marvellous.  I  could 
hardly  believe  it  possible  that  no  art  had 
been  used  to  bring  forth  this  strange  and 
beautiful  work  of  nature. 

The  old  man  was  right  —  what  the  sun- 
shine  could  not  do  the  shadow  of  the  rock 
had  done ;  and  out  of  the  dark  cave  and  the 
still,  deep  waters,  we  went  slowl}'"  and  silently 
back  into  the  light,  with  a  sermon  from  the 
unhewn  stone  more  refreshing  to  my  soul 
than  all  the  loveliness  of  earth.     I  could  say, 


140  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

"  Mj  soul  folio weth  bard  after  Thee :  Thy 
right  hand  upholdeth  me."  "  I  will  wait  for 
Thy  salvation."  And  my  heart  took  courage, 
beholding  all  things  in  His  hand,  even  fi'om 
the  testimony  of  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock 
in  the  weary  land,  to  which  He  had  guided 
our  little  bark.  God  speaks,  and  it  is  done  I 
How  small  a  matter  may  disturb  the  outward 
tranquillity ;  but  he  who  waits  on  the  Lord 
shall  not  be  ashamed. 


THE  TWO  SHADOWS. 

"And  the  Lord  God  prepared  a  gourd,  and  made  it  to  come  up 
over  Jonah,  that  it  might  be  a  sliadow  over  liis  lietd,  to  de- 
liver him  from  li  is  grief.  .  .  .  But  God  prepared  a  worm -when 
the  morning  rose  the  next  day,  and  it  smote  the  gourd  that 
it  withered." — Jonali  iv.  6,  7. 

"  A  Man  shall  be  as  an  hiding-place  from  the  wind,  and  a  covert 
from  the  tempest ;  as  rivers  of  water  in  a  dry  place ;  as  the 
shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  wean,-  land."— Isaiah  xxxi'.  2. 

'I  sat  down  under  His  shadow  with  great  delight."— Sol.  Song 
ii.  3. 

Lord,  hide  nie  in  Tliy  shadow 

From  the  east  wind's  withering  blast. 
In  the  secret  of  Thy  presence, 

Till  the  fervid  noon  be  past! 
A  worm  destroyed  the  shelter 

Of  the  gourd  Thou  gavest  me ; 
My  heart  is  sick  and,  drooping, 

And  the  suu  beats  piteously. 

Take  me,  oh,  take  me  to  Thee, 

Thou  Comforter  divine! 
My  fevered  hands  —  quick !  clasp  them 

In  that  pierced  palm  of  Thine. 
My  drooping  head,  Lord,  shelter 

Upon  Thy  loving  breast ; 
Thy  presence  must  go  with  me  — 

Wilt  Thou  uot  give  me  rest  ? 

141 


142  THE  TVATCH  TOWEB. 

I  sat  me  in  the  desert 

That  dreary  day  alone, 
Counting  life's  cherished  promise 

Of  bud  and  beauty  gone. 
In  my  spirit's  deep  recesses 

A  still  small  voice  I  heard  — 
•'  Better  for  thee,  beloved, 

The  withering  of  thy  gourd. 

"  My  hand  in  love  bestowed  it, 

To  cheer  thy  desert  way ; 
I  will  not  let  my  blessing 

Thy  trusting  heart  betray. 
Behold,  the  bower  I  build  thee 

No  east  wind  e'er  can  blight ; 
My  wings  shall  be  thy  shadow ; 

My  love  thy  soul's  delight. 

"It  was  My  hand,  beloved  one. 

That  trained  thy  sheltering  gourd  | 
The  sun  scorched  at  My  bidding, 

The  wind  obeyed  My  word. 
'Twas  I  prepared  in  secret 

The  worm  thou  couldst  not  see, 
To  bear  thy  Master's  message 

In  tenderness  to  thee. 

"Peace,  peace !  I  know  thy  sorrows, 

Thy  faithfulness  I  prove ; 
My  hand  hath  weighed  thy  losses 

In  the  balance  of  my  love. 
Cast  down,  but  not  forsaken. 

Despair  not,  though  distrest ; 
My  presence  hath  been  with  thee, 

And  I  will  give  thee  rest. 


LIGHT   IN  THE   DARKNESS.  143 

"Behold  a  Plant  whose  beauty 

No  scorching  breath  hath  fanned  ; 
A  great  Rock  casts  its  shadow 

In  this  dry  and  thirsty  land  1 
That  Rock  endures  for  ever 

The  shock  of  storm  and  wave; 
And  a  Branch  of  thy  green  bower 

Rose  from  a  garden  grave." 

Ear  could  not  hear  the  answer 

To  my  low  smothered  moan  ; 
Eye  hath  not  seen  the  rapture 

Beheld  by  One  alone. 
A  shadow,  in  that  noontide, 

Deeper  and  deeper  grew; 
Like  healing  balm  the  whisper 

Fell  on  my  heart  like  dew. 

Oh,  peace  I  oh,  joy  eternal  I 

Oh,  love  divine  and  true!  ♦ 

Oh,  bloom  and  fruit  immortal 

That  Paradise  ne'er  knew  I 
Dearer  the  dreariest  desert 

Than  all  earth's  joys  restored. 
And  brighter  is  Thy  presence 

By  the  withering  of  my  gourd. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

THE    DARK     TUNNEL. 

"Thou  hast  given  a  banner  to  them   that  fear  Thee,  that  it 
may  be  displayed  because  of  the  truth." — Ps.  Ix.  4. 

HAT  is  service  ?  We  have  divine 
authority  for  the  reply,  "  This  is  the 
work  of  God,  that  ye  beheve  on  Him 
whom  He  hath  sent."  (John  vi.  29.)  If 
we  tJ'eheve  in  Him,  we  must  know  Him  with 
whom  we  have  to  do.  If  deahnq;  with  God 
were  to  be  restricted  to  periods  of  formal 
devotion,  or  times  of  affliction,  when  all 
other  refuges  fail,  work  and  worship  would 
in  some  manner  resemble  heathen  rites  to  an 
unknown  god.  It  is  the  heart  sanctified  by 
the  indwelhng  Spirit,  it  is  the  living  sacrifice 
of  our  body,  holy,  acceptable  to  God,  which 
is  our  reasonable  service,  and  will  testify  our 

144 


THE  DARK  TUNNEL.  145 

belief  in  Him  whom  God  hath  sent.  I  pray 
God  that  my  words  may  penetrate  into  those 
lonely  dwelling-places  where  God's  children 
droop  for  lack  of  sympathy,  and  are  cast 
down  by  judging  after  the  natural  man. 
They  see  no  place  of  testimony  for  them  ; 
those  around  them  reject  them  ;  and  every 
avenue  of  public  testimony  is  closed  against 
them.  If  they  confess  Christ  in  their  lives, 
there  shall  be  a  perpetual  spring  in  the  desert 
which  shall  turn  the  wilderness  into  standing 
pools  of  water  for  their  own  refreshment, 
with  the  assurance  that  in  some  unlooked-for 
manner  others  shall  partake  of  their  fulness. 
(John  vii.  38.) 

To  believe  on  Jesus  is  to  love  Him.  And 
the  promise  cannot  be  for  the  recipient  only ; 
for  if  out  of  those  who  believe  shall  flow 
rivers  of  living  water,  there  will  be  channels 
prepared,  that  the  streams  may  gladden  the 
thirsty  land.  (Eph.  ii.  10.)  The  heart  may 
starve  while  it  is  a  spectator  of  others  feed- 
ing the  multitude  ;  but  if  the  eye  is  on  Jesus 
rather  than  on  His  disciples,  the  soul  will  be 


146  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

drinkins!'  in  drauCTJits  of  life  which  shall  flow 
out  again  in  blessing.  If  you  love  Him,  you 
will  desire  to  love  Him  more,  and  seek  more 
continuous  fellowship  with  Him.  He  who 
sees  the  lily  bloom,  and  marks  the  sparrow 
fall,  counts  you  fairer  than  the  lily,  dearer 
than  many  sparrows. 

You  are  pining  to  behold  some  exhibition 
of  the  Lord's  almighty  power  and  love. 
Then  carry  all  to  Him  —  all,  all.  The 
puniest  instrument  may  thus  become  a 
battle-axe  in  His  hand  ;  the  weak  shall  be 
mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down 
of  strong-holds ;  and  the  words  of  young 
children  effective  as  arrows  from  the  bow 
of  an   archer. 

Why  is  there  so  little  faith  in  following 
the  Lord  in  daily  life?  Simply  because 
there  is  a  lack  of  sensitiveness  in  the  soul 
in  regard  to  a  knowledge  of  "  when  a  man's 
ways  please  the  Lord  ; "  and  because  the 
believer  looks  for  visible  results  in  regard 
to  his  way,  in  place  of  leaving  all  to  God, 
and  being   satisfied  with  His   favor.      God 


THE  DARK  TUNNEL.  147 

has  said,  "  I  will  guide  thee  with  mine 
eye  ;  "  "  Thine  ears  shall  hear  a  word  be- 
hind thee  saying,  This  is  the  way,  walk  ye 
in  it."  Sometimes  circumstance  closes  the 
door  that  no  man  can  open,  and  opens  the 
door  that  no  man  can  shut ;  but  assuredly 
they  that  wait  on  the  Lord  shall  not  be 
confounded. 

After  many  day's  uncertainty  as  to  the 
way  and  the  time  of  my  departure  from  my 
winter  quarters,  I  was  able  to  see  that  I 
must  leave  on  a  certain  day,  and  expressed 
my  intention  to  a  friend,  who  endeavored  to 
persuade  me  to  prolong  my  stay ;  but  when 
I  had  told  her  that  I  had  sought  for  guidance 
as  to  the  time,  and  had  written  to  a  friend  in 
London  to  ask  her  to  receive  me  for  the  night 
of  the  same  da}',  she  ceased  to  press  me. 
Obstacles  arose  the  day  before  that  seemed 
sent  to  prevent  my  journey.  I  battled 
bravely  through  them,  but  in  the  morning  I 
was  very  ill  and  unfitted  for  travelling.  This 
and  other  circumstances  caused  me  to  fix  a 
later  train  for  my  departure;  and  when  I 


148  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

found  that  I  could  not  receive  some  lu-^Grao^e 
which  I  required  until  the  following  daj,  I 
sat  down  wearLlj,  and  looking,  like  Peter, 
at  the  waves  of  cii-curastance,  rather  than  to 
Him  who  rules  them,  I  said — 

"  I  think  it  all  means  that  I  must  wait 
untd  to-morrow." 

"No,"  replied  my  faithfid  friend,  "you 
were  satisfied  that  you  ought  to  go  to-day. 
Leave  all  this,  and  go,  as  you  intended." 

She  had  been  urgent  in  desirinix  me  to 
prolong  my  visit,  and  in  a  moment  I  felt  she 
was  now  sent  to  stengthen  my  hands  in 
God.     So  she  accompanied  me  to  the  train. 

I  stood  on  the  platform  in  prayer  before  I 
went  towards  the  carriages,  asking  the  Lord, 
*'  If  it  please  Thee,  let  me  have  a  carriage  to 
myself."  As  I  stood  I  was  attracted  by  a 
lady,  attended  by  an  elderly  gentleman.  She 
was  very  handsome,  and  fashionably  attired, 
and  carried  in  her  hand  a  larga  bouquet  of 
beautiful  hot-house  flowers. 

Though  indisposed  to  find  interest  with- 
out, I  was  attracted  by  the  tender  leave- 


THE  DARK  TUNNEL.  149 

taking  of  the  strangers  —  the  affectionate 
protective  care  on  the  part  of  the  old  officer, 
and  the  oft-repeated" adieus  of  the  daughter, 
for  such  1  felt  assured  she  must  be. 

My  attention  became  rivetted  on  her,  not 
so  much  for  her  remarkable  beauty,  as  for 
her  frank  and  simple  bearing  ;  and  forgetting 
my  former  desire  to  be  alone  for  the  purpose 
of  rest,  I  began  to  wish  that  the  gentleman 
would  choose  her  seat  in  the  carriage  I  occu- 
pied. The  desire  was  quickly  formed  into 
prayer,  and  I  cried,  "  Lord,  if  I  can  speak 
for  Thee,  bring  her  in  here."  However, 
they  lingered  to  the  last  moment,  and  passed 
me  towards  the  other  end  of  the  platform. 

There  was  sudden  confusion  from  another 
arrival  of  passengers  at  the  junction,  and 
speedily  every  compartment  was  filled  but 
mine.  Just  before  the  guard's  whistle 
sounded  for  bur  departure,  the  door  sud- 
dejil^'  opened,  and  after  the  appearance  of 
rugs,  and  baskets,  and  various  travelling 
luxuries,  the  old  officer  carefully  placed  by 
my  side  the  beautiful  bouquet,  and  immedi- 


150  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

ately  on  the  opposite  seat  I  recognized  the 
lady  for  whose  company  I  had  only  a  short 
time  previously  besought  Him,  without 
■whose  will  not  a  sparrow  falls.  I  could 
say  with  David,  "  Thou  hast  given  him  his 
heart's  desire,  and  hast  not  withholdeu  the 
request  of  his  lips."  (Ps.  xxi.  2.)  I  lifted 
up  my  heart  for  a  blessing. 

We  travelled  for  some  time  silently,  until 
the  signal  before  entering  a  tunnel  called 
forth  a  faint  murmur  of  distress  from  my 
companion,  who  by  way  of  explanation 
said  — 

"  I  am  in  terror  at  these  tunnels.     Are  not 

you  ? " 

I  smiled,  and  answered,  "  No  !  but  when  I 
•was  young,  before  I  had  learned  experimen- 
tally that  '  the  hairs  of  your  head  are  all 
numbered,'  I  was  very  timid.  A  stranger 
once  strengthened  me  by  saying,  '  Fear  not ! 
God  is  in  the  dark  tunnel  as  elsewhere.'  So 
I  say  to  you  to-day,  God  is  in  this  dark 
tunnel." 

The  train  entered  the  gloomy  passage,  and 


THE  DARK  TUNNEL.  151 

when  we  again  emerged  into  liglit  and  air, 
the  face  of  my  fellow-traveller  was  hidden  in 
her  hands,  and  her  terror  was  evidently  not 
affected.  So  I  told  her  I  saw  that  she  had 
not  the  blessing  of  knowing  that  she  might 
"  trust  in  the  Lord  at  all  times,"  and  then  I 
began  "  the  old,  old  story  of  Jesus  and  His 
love "  without  a  word  of  interruption ;  but 
when  I  paused  she  looked  in  my  face,  almost 
frightened,  and  enquired  — 

"  Are  you  a  sister  of  mercy  ?  " 

*'  I  hope  I  am,"  I  rephed,  smiling  ;  "  though 
certainly  not  in  the  sense  you  mean.  Do 
you  think  a  cloister  the  best  place  for  a  fol- 
lower of  the  Lord  Jesus  ?  " 

*'  I  do  not  know,"  she  answered,  rather 
confusedly ;  "  but,  for  me,  my  great  stum- 
bling-block to  believing  in  such  things  is  this 
—  the  evangelical  clergy  condemn  our  balls 
and  operas ;  yet  I  meet  them  at  our  great 
dinners,  where  they  talk  to  one  just  like 
other  people." 

"  And  do  you  think  that  excuse  will  stand 
good  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ  ?     Or 


152  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

will  the  inconsistencies  or  hypocrisy  of 
others  be  accepted  by  Him  who  offered  you 
salvation  throuq:h  the  merits  of  a  Saviour's 
death  ?  You  must  live  or  die  eternally. 
Do  you  know  what  it  is  to  die  eternally  ?  " 

My  listener  sat  with  her  eyes  fixed  on  my 
face,  her  lips  compressed,  and  a  startled  ex- 
pression of  countenance  that  replied  as 
plainly  as  her  words, 

"  Who  are  3'ou  ?  No  one  ever  spoke  to 
me  like  this  before." 

Dear  reader,  have  you  known  the  joy  of 
drawinq;  water  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation 
for  those  who  have  never  tasted  of  the  life- 
giving  stream  ?  Have  you  traced  step  by 
step  the  Lord's  upholding  power,  and  heard 
His  swift  response  to  your  witness  —  "Be 
strong,  for  I  am  with  you  "  ?  then  you  will 
understand  the  disappointment  that  for  a 
moment  flashed  over  me  when,  with  a  faint 
attempt  on  the  part  of  my  companion  to 
make  light  of  her  emotion,  she  exclaimed  — 

"  What  will  you  say  to  me  when  I  tell  you 
that  I  am  going  to  a  grand  ball  to-night,  and 
next,  that  I  shall  enjoy  it  immensely  ?  " 


THE  DARK  TUNNEL.  153 

"  It  is  Dot  surprising,"  I  replied  quietly ; 
"  you  know  nothing  better,  therefore  natur- 
ally you  will  like  empty  pleasures.  You 
cannot  love  heavenly  things  without  a  new 
heart.  As  for  your  enjoying  the  ball  this 
evening,  I  tell  you  you  will  not  enjoy  it  as 
you  expect." 

The  same  half-frightened  expression  flitted 
over  her  face  :  it  gave  way  as  I  again  spoke 
to  her  of  the  love  of  God,  and  she  listened 
with  profound  attention  as  I  told  her  what 
the  risen  Saviour  was  to  me  —  what  He 
would  be  to  her  ;  and  she  spoke  confidingly 
to  me.  I  saw  her  cup  of  earthly  happiness 
was  full.  She  told  me  she  had  just  parted 
from  a  beloved  father,  who  idolized  her. 
She  was  going  to  see  her  little  child,  and  to 
meet  her  husband,  who  thought  the  grand 
ball  would  be  incomplete  without  his  beauti- 
ful wife.  All  was  related  with  so  much  sim- 
plicity, that  I  felt  as  if  I  knew  her  whole 
position,  and  my  heart  burned  to  snatch  her 
out  of  the  strong  grasp  of  the  enemy.  But 
the  Lord's  ways  are  not  our  ways.     We  sow 


154  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

the  seed,  and  leave  to  Him  the  reaping ;  it  is 
safe  in  the  hand  of  the  great  Husbandman. 

"  The  old,  old  stoiy,"  is  an  endless  one  to 
those  who  love  it,  and  my  companion  hstened 
intently.  Her  journey  was  completed  be- 
fore mine,  and  she  told  me  that  at  the  sta- 
tion we  were  aj^proaching  we  should  part. 
As  we  neared  it  she  pointed  out  to  me  her 
carriage,  and  soon  after  her  husband  and 
friends  who  were  waiting  for  her. 

I  searched  in  my  bag  and  found  unexpect- 
edly a  little  book,  the  one  I  would  have 
chosen  to  leave  with  her.  I  held  it  towards 
her,  saying  —  "I  have  only  this  to  offer  you 
by  which  to  remember  your  fellow-traveller. 
Will  you  keep  it  to  remind  you  of  to-day  ?  " 

She  burst  into  tears,  and  clasping  my  hand 
with  the  book,  she  kissed  it  repeatedly. 

"  '  Remember ! '  "  she  answered  ;  "  I  shall 
never  forget  you.  Tlien  slowly  and  solemnly 
she  added,  "  It  was  God  who  sent  you  to  me 
to-day.'' 

"  And  whom  shall  I  ask  the  Lord  to  bless 
when  I  pray  for  you  ?  " 


THE  DARK   TUNNEL.  155 

After  a  little  hesitation  she  whispered  her 
Christian  name.  The  train  stopped.  She 
saw  that  she  was  recognized.  She  dried  her 
eyes,  settled  the  lace  and  ribbon  of  her  hat, 
discomposed  by  her  emotion ;  and  as  my 
eyes  followed  her,  I  said  in  my  heart  —  or 
rather  the  evil  one  suggested  — "  She  will 
forget  it  all  before  night;"  and  the  fiery 
dart  of  unbelief  quivered  for  a  moment  in 
my  flesh,  wherein  "  dwelleth  no  good  thing." 

But  He  who  had  called  me  to  witness  for 
Him  would  not  leave  me  comfortless.  He 
had  His  own  way  to  meet  the  assault  of  the 
enemy. 

The  sweet  face  of  my  late  companion  was 
again  by  my  side,  my  hand  resting  on  the 
window  was  again  clasped  and  kissed,  while 
in  a  clear  emphatic  voice  she  repeated  — 

**  God  sent  you  to  me  this  day.  /  know 
He  sent  you."  And  the  tears  she  sought  to 
control  burst  forth  anew. 

She  kneiv.  Yes,  and  I  knew  it  also. 
Every  doubt  vanished  ;  and  I  believed  that 
when  she   should  stand  among   those   who 


156  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

would  admire  her  earthly  loveliness,  she 
would  look  down  upon  the  beautiful  blos- 
soms in  her  hand,  and  her  heart  would  again 
hear  the  voice  of  their  Creator  and  hers, 
through  the  testimony  of  the  weak  and 
weary  stranger ;  "  Turn  ye,  turn  ye  :  why 
will  ye  die  ?  " 

It  was  night  when  I  arrived  at  my  desti- 
nation, an  hour  over  tlie  time ;  but  if  any 
doubt  had  lingered  in  my  mind  as  to 
whether  "  the  Lord  had  made  my  way  pros- 
perous," it  would  have  vanished ;  for  the 
friend,  who  had  ceased  to  expect  me,  met 
me  with  open  arms,  exclaiming  joyfully,  "  I 
want  you  so  sadly.  It  is  the  Lord  who 
brought  you  here  to-night." 

Yes,  it  was  indeed  the  Lord.  I  scarcely 
closed  my  eyes  to  sleep.  M}^  heart  and 
thoughts  were  with  that  fair  and  graceful 
woman  in  the  toils  of  the  v/orld,  and  then 
to  the  throne  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  praj'ing 
Him  to  draw  her  to  Himself,  and  give  her 
experimentally  to  know  the  love  of  God  in 
His  unspeakable  gift  of  Jesus,  the  Lamb 
slain. 


THE   DARK   TUNNEL.  157 

As  I  considered  the  way  the  Lord  had 
led  me,  I  realized  the  same  Angel  going  be- 
fore me  who  had  directed  the  children  oi 
Israel  when  to  pitch  their  tents,  and  when 
to  journey  (Neh.  ix.  19),  even  Jehovah- 
Jesus. 

In  the  Autumn  I  heard  of  a  revival  in  the 
place  where  my  fellow-traveller  spent  part 
of  the  year,  and  this  specially  amongst  the 
frequenters  of  balls  and  operas,  and  such 
like.  I  had  no  clue  to  trace  her,  but  it  com- 
forted me  to  remember  that  "  Jesus,  being 
weary  with  His  journey,  sat  thus  on  the 
*  well,"  to  give  to  one  who  knew  Him  not 
*'  living  water."  And  "  he  that  soweth  and 
he  that  *reapeth  shall  rejoice  together  "  in 
the  harvest,  and  I  believe  that  it  shall  bo 
even  so,  that  when  the  last  dark  tunnel  is 
past,  tlie  day  shall  declare  that  bread  cast 
upon  the  waters  shall  be  found. 


THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

•'Thou  shalt  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  :  for  they  shall  not  b« 
ashamed  that  wait  for  me."— Isaiah  xlix.  23. 

I  wir,L  stand  alone  on  my  watch  tower, 

And  hear  what  my  Lord  will  say  ; 
I  've  watched  there  many  a  midnight, 

And  the  noon  of  the  sultry  day. 
I  have  cast  my  bread  on  the  waters ; 

I  shall  surely  find  it  again, 
Though  now  to  my  poor  heart's  vision 

It  seems  to  be  all  iu  vain. 

The  Lord  hath  His  time  appointed ; 

I  know  not  when  it  may  be ; 
But  the  blessing  my  soul  is  seeking 

Will  be  given  at  last  to  me. 
It  may  come  in  the  silent  watches. 

When  the  world  lieth  weary  and  still ; 
It  may  come  when  my  hope  sinks  lowest, 

The  depth  of  my  spirit  to  tlirill. 

I  know  it  will  come.     I  am  gazing 

Into  the  distance  afar, 
As  the  wise  men  watched  for  the  rising, 

Through  Eastern  night  of  their  star: 
And  a  star  shall  rise  on  my  darkness 

That  Herod  shall  ne'er  destroy  ; 
I  shall  know  the  light  I  have  longed  for. 

And  "  rejoice  with  exceeding  joy." 

158 


THE   "WATCH   TOWER.  159 

It  may  come  in  another  fashion 

Then  e'er  I  pictured  its  ray; 
It  may  rise  o'er  the  dull,  cold  mountain 

Like  the  dawn  of  a  summer's  day. 
It  may  come  like  the  lightning  flashing, 

Or  loud  as  the  thunder's  blast; 
But  the  Lord,  who  is  strong  in  battle, 

Will  answer  my  prayer  at  last. 

Thou  hast  spoken,  and  Tliou  wilt  do  it 

1  will  tarry  in  hope,  and  see; 
For  none  ever  walked  in  darkness. 

And  waited  in  vain  for  Thee. 
I  know  that  mj'  prayer  will  be  answered; 

The  Lord  never  comes  too  late  ; 
And  the  heart  that  will  trust  Ilim  fully 

Shall  never  be  desolate. 

It  may  come  when  my  dust  lies  sleeping 

Awaiting  my  Saviour's  call ; 
But  my  last  prayer,  safe  in  His  keeping, 

Will  shine  there  fairest  of  all. 
It  may  come  when  the  enemy  scoffeth. 

But  I  will  believe  Thee,  Lord  : 
For  they  who  dwell  in  Thv  presence 

May  take  their  rest  on  Thy  word. 

My  star— nay,  Thy  star,  my  masterl 

To  shine  in  Th)'  crown  so  fair : 
This  is  my  hope  in  my  sadness, 

This  is  the  streni;th  of  my  prayer. 
Tlicu  workest  in  signs  and  wonders; 

Thy  promise  shall  cheer  me  again. 
Long  have  I  waited  on  Thee,  Lord ; 

None  ever  waited  in  vain. 


160  THE  WATCH   TOWER. 

I  will  stand  alone  on  my  watch  tower, 

If  so  I  may  do  Thy  will. 
Keep  me  to  watch  for  my  star-rise ; 

If  it  please  Thee,  keep  me  there  still. 
Thou  wilt  answer  my  praj'er,  for  Thy  glory, 

0,  Master  beloved !  Thou  wilt  bless, 
And  quicken  my  heart  in  Thy  praises, 

To  tell  of  Thy  faithfulness. 


CHAPTER  X. 

WATERSPHrNGS  IN  A  DRY  GROUND. 

"  Be  not  faithless,  but  believing." —  John  xx.  27. 

F  your  desire  be  to  glorify  the  God  of 
Israel,  and  seek  only  to  serve  Him,  be 
assured  that  "  the  desire  of  the  righteous 
shall  be  granted." 

If  you  see  results,  praise  Ilim  ;  if  you  see 
them  not,  trust  Him.  Keep  your  eyes  on 
Him  whose  love  is  leading  you,  and  fear  not, 
though  you  may  be  assailed  by  the  adversary 
who  watclies  to  sadden  the  timid  heart  and 
shake  its  trust  in  God. 

We  fear  some  natural  impulse  or  undue 
activity  has  carried  us  into  a  position  of 
chastening.  What  appears  a  natural  impulse 
is  the  Spirit's  guidance,  if  we  have  sought  it; 
for  we  seldom  have  the  consciousness  of  His 

161 


162  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

leading.  If  the  servant  has  desired  to  do  his 
master's  will,  and  instead  of  some  sensible 
service  finds  himself  in  a  place  which,  so  far 
as  his  judgment  can  discern,  is  desert,  he 
may  think  it  a  mistake,  and  ask,  "  Why  am  I 
here  ?  How  can  I  serve  ?  "  We  must  wait, 
and  what  we  know  not  now  we  shall  know 
hereafter. 

When  Abigail  carried  her  gift  to  David  to 
appease  his  anger  against  the  churlish  Nabal, 
she  could  not  foresee  that  through  that  act 
she  would  become  the  wife  of  the  king  of 
Israel,  the  man  after  God's  own  heart.  She 
beheld  no  other  fruit  of  her  prudence  than 
that  David  was  pacified.  She  knew  not  that 
she  was  the  messeno^er  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  ; 


'o 


but  David  knew  it,  for  he  was  taught  of  God, 
and  recognized  her  as  "  sent."  "  Blessed  be 
the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  that  hath  sent  thee 
this  day  to  meet  me."     (i  Sam.  xxv.  32.) 

The  cruelty  of  Joseph's  brethren  cast  him 
into  the  pit ;  and  at  this  page  of  his  history 
it  seems  mysterious  why  Reuben's  design  to 
rescue  him  was  defeated,  and  wherefore  he 


WATEESPRINGS  IN  A  DRY  GEOTJND.      1G3 

should  have  been  drawn  out  of  it  only  to  be 
sold  as  a  slave,  and  carried  into  Egj-pt  to 
wait  in  a  prison. 

Why  is  the  heart  not  more  tuned  to  the 
praise  of  Jehovah  ?  Because  "  my  people  do 
not  consider."  Forgotten  mercies  are  lost 
blessings,  and  if  the  soul  is  resting  on  service 
rather  than  on  Christ,  it  must  always  be 
barren.  If  we  are  seeking  only  Lhe  result 
of  what  we  have  done,  the  Lord  may  grant 
it ;  but  if  we  desire  Him  in  it  we  shall  assur- 
edly see  Him,  and  to  see  Him  is  to  praise. 
There  is  much  prayer  that  is  only  known  by 
its  results.  We  desire  to  impart  some  of 
that  life  that  breathes  in  us.  It  may  be  that 
the  hearts  near  us  reject  it ;  but  it  may  be 
that  there  are  empty  vessels  not  a  few,  and 
"  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  giveth  life." 
The  cry  of  the  heart  apart  from  Jesus  may 
bring  woe,  trials,  and  temptations,  but  those 
desires  in  us  which  are  born  of  God  must  be 
fulfilled. 

I  had  a  cottage-lodging  on  the  outside  of  a 
large  town,  where  I  seemed  to  have  no  ser- 


164  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

vice.  My  walk  was  bounded  by  a  corn-field, 
through  which  was  a  bye-path,  traversed  by 
the  neighboring  villagers  to  the  town.  Occa- 
sionally, in  the  fine  weather,  I  sat  there  for 
the  opportunity  of  giving  a  tract  or  speaking 
a  word  to  the  passers-by.  When  no  one 
came  I  contented  myself  by  leaving  a  tract 
on  the  stile  or  by  the  -gate.  One  day  I  had 
watched  in  vain,  and  was  about  leaving,  when 
a  young  nursemaid  with  two  children,  one  in 
arms,  passed  me  without  observing  me,  so 
engaged  was  she  with  the  tract  just  gathered 
from  the  stile.  Breathing  a  prayer  for  a 
blessing  on  it,  I  returned  to  the  cottage. 
The  following  day  I  met  her  again  when  I 
offered  her  a  book.  She  timidly  asked  me 
for  another  tract  also.  We  spoke  together. 
She  had  a  knowledge  of  the  way  of  salvation 
from  Sunday-school  teaching,  but  no  knowl- 
edge of  a  personal  interest  in  a  crucified  and 
living  Saviour.  She  listened  with  eagerness, 
and  when  I  rose  to- go  she  wiped  the  tears 
from  her  cheeks,  and  said  — 

"  Oh,  I  wish  you  could  but  speak  so  to  my 
mistress !  " 


WATEESritlNGS  IN"  A  DRY  GROUND.      165 

"  Who  is  your  mistress  ?  "  I  enquired. 

She  mentioned  the  name  of  a  tradesman  ia 
the  neighboring  town. 

'iWiUiugly,"  I  replied.  "ShaU  I  caU  upon 
her?" 

But  the  girl,  fearful  that  she  had  said  more 
than  she  ought,  now  hesitated,  and  wished 
me  a  hasty  good-bye. 

I  walked  away.  I  could  only  pray  that 
the  little  messengers  would  do  the  work, 
and  speak  to  tlie  mistress  as  well  as  to  the 
maid.  I  saw  her  no  more,  and  the  thought 
suggested  itself  that  possibly  the  direction 
of  her  walk  was  changed  from  the  conse- 
quences of  the  acceptance  of  the  tracts. 

As  the  heat  increased,  I  had  now  to  for- 
sake the  corn-field  for  the  shady  lanes,  and 
crossing  the  high  road  for  this  purpose,  I 
came  one  morning  in  front  of  a  red  brick 
house  glaring  in  the  heat.  At  the  lower 
window  sat  a  young  woman,  whose  face  was 
almost  as  white  as  the  pillows  which  sup- 
ported her.  She  gazed  listlessly  into  the 
road.     What  had  I  to  do  with  the  stranger? 


166  THE   WATCH  TOWER. 

I  knew  not;  but  an  indescribable  desire  to 
speak  to  her  took  possession  of  me.  But 
how  should  I  enter  the  house  ?  What 
should  I  say  ?  I  stood  irresolute,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  the  pale-faced  woman  rose, 
perhaps  annoyed  at  my  observation,  and 
left  the  window. 

I  returned  sad-hearted,  I  knew  not  why. 
For  two  or  three  weeks  illness  kept  me 
within  ;  but  often  my  thoughts  were  on  the 
red  house  in  the  road.  One  sultry  evening 
I  prayed  to  be  helped  to  gain  admittance  to 
the  sick  woman,  and  that  the  door  mis^ht  be 
opened  for  me.  I  reached  the  dusty  high- 
way, but  to  my  great  disappointment  the  red 
house  was  closed,  and  there  was  not  even  a 
sign  that  it  was  to  be  let  or  sold. 

I  entered  the  burut-up  garden;  nothing 
told  of  life  within.  I  knocked  at  the  door, 
but  no  one  came,  and  there  was  no  one  near 
to  give  me  any  information. 

The  enemy  came  in  like  a  flood  ;  but  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  lifted  up  His  standard 
against  him.     Vv^hy  had  I  not  entered  be- 


WATEESPRINGS  IN  A  DRY  GROUND.      1G7 

fore  ?  Why  had  I  delayed  it  until  now  ? 
Where  was  the  hand  of  tlie  Lord  in  the 
matter,  though  I  had  committed  it  to  Ilira  ? 
I  went  back  in  my  memory  to  see  why  it 
was  thus  with  me.  I  had  not  disobeyed 
any  leading  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  disappoint- 
ment at  finding  the  house  empty  told  the  de- 
sire of  my  heart,  although  He  had  seen  fit  to  '' 
deny  me  its  fruition. 

Perhaps  the  poor  sick  one  had  gone  to 
her  last  resting-place.  Where  would  it  be  ? 
The  Lord  was  not  dependent  on  my  feeble 
hand  ;  He  had  instruments  for  His  purpose 
of  grace  and  salvation  everywhere.  There 
was  nothing  for  me  to  do,  so  I  could  only 
pray  and  hope. 

Many  manifestations  of  the  loving-kind- 
ness of  my  gracious  Master  proved  that  the 
waiting  hours  had  not  been  in  vain  ;  but  I 
saw  no  more  of  the  nursemaid.  Whether 
she  passed  through  the  corn-field,  now  in 
the  hands  of  the  reapers,  I  know  not ;  for 
by  this  time,  I'  v/as  able  to  extend  my 
rafubles  in  the  green  lanes  further  fi'om 
the   cottage. 


168  THE  WATCH  TOWER. 

One  day  of  excessive  heat,  I  had  wan- 
dered on  till  I  came  to  an  old-fashioned 
farm-house  surrounded  by  a  wall  overhung 
with  the  branches  of  a  fine  cherry-tree 
trained  against  it,  abundant  in  fruit.  I  was 
weary  and  thirsty,  and  entering  the  little 
wicket  gate,  I  enquired  of  an  old  woman  in 
the  garden  if  the  fruit  was  for  sale.  She 
replied  in  the  negative,  but  assured  me  I 
should  be  welcome  to  some  if  I  would  be 
seated.  I  had  time  to  admire  the  luxuriant 
garden  of  roses  and  campanulas,  its  old- 
fashioned  mingling  of  herbs  and  flowers, 
and  its  narrow  walks,  and  think  what  a 
pleasant  spot  was  shut  in  by  those  old  gray 
walls  covered  with  fruit,  and  bright  in  the 
western  sun.  The  old  woman  called  to  a 
child  to  bring  a  plate  for  the  fi'uit.  The 
child  disappeared  into  the  house.  After  a 
few  minutes  the  door  opened,  and  in  place 
of  the  child  came  forward  my  young  nurse- 
maid of  the  corn-field  !  It  was  worth  wait- 
ing to  see  her  beaming  face,  and  hear  her 
exclamation  of  delight.     She  did  not  loiter, 


WATEESPRINGS  EN  A  DRY  GROUND.      169 

but,  like  myself,  forgetting  the  plate  and  the 
fruit,  entered  the  porch,  and  in  another  min- 
ute I  beheld  at  the  window  the  same  pale 
face  that  had  caused  me  so  many  anxious 
moments,  the  lonely  dweller  of  the  red 
house.  She  did  not  look  listless  now;  she 
opened  the  window  and  greeted  me  with  a 
smile,  and  in  a  few  minutes  I  had  entered, 
and  she  was  telling  me  the  mystery  of  those 
Bweet  ways  by  which  the  Lord  had  brought 
me  there. 

She  was  in  a  consumption.  The  doctors 
had  insisted  upon  a  change  from  the  town, 
and  as  her  husband  owned  the  red  house  on 
the  road,  it  was  prepared  for  her  reception. 
Previous  to  taking  possession  of  it,  the  nurse 
had  several  times  brought  home  a  tract,  at 
first  without  any  expression  of  interest  from 
the  mistress  ;  but  the  maid  repeated  our  con- 
versation, and  had  courage  to  express  to  her 
the  desire  that  the  stranger  lady  might  come 
and  tell  her  of  the  love  of  Jesus,  and  make 
her  as  hupiiy  as  herself.  The  poor  mother 
became  weaker,  the  red  house  was  too  close 


170  THE   WATCH  TOWEE. 

for  her,  and  another  change  was  recom- 
mended. Rooms  in  the  old  farm-house  were 
to  be  let,  atid  they  removed  to  the  pleasant 
spot  where  I  found  them. 

My  eyes  filled  with  tears,  and  my  heart 
throbbed  with  praise,  as,  turning  to  the 
little  table  beside  me,  she  pointed  to  the 
carefully-treasured  tracts,  read  and  re-read. 
She  told  me  she  had  desired  this  removal  for 
the  sake  of  the  garden  and  pure  air,  and  had 
received  much  benefit ;  but  the  fear  of  death 
pressed  heavily  upon  her,  and  parting  with 
her  children  was  a  shadow  on  her  way. 
Often  the  tract  found  in  the  corn-field  had 
made  her  long  to  know  me,  as  her  servant 
had  gathered  many  texts  and  tracts  before  we 
met.  No  one  knew  me  in  the  town  from 
which  they  had  now  removed  till  the 
winter.    . 

Had  I  not  been  weary  and  thirsty,  I  might 
not  have  seen  the  cherries  which  were  to 
draw  me  within  those  gray  walls ;  and  had 
the  little  child  returned  with  the  plate,  I 
might  never  have  had  the  blessed  task  mj 


■WATEESPRDSiGS  m  A  DRY  GROUND.      171 

divine  Master  reserved  for  me,  to  lead  one 
feeble,  halting,  doubting  soul  nearer  to  Him- 
self. 

The  invalid  revived  so  much  that  no  im- 
mediate danger  was  apprehended.  This  en- 
abled me  to  see  her  without  any  fatigue, 
and  her  grateful  welcome,  and  •  that  of  the 
young  servant,  made  me  often  dwell  on  the 
love  of  the  Lord,  in  leading  me  to  the  service 
He  needed. 

The  fear  of  death  remained  still,  the 
bondage  which  at  times  held  her  in  darkness 
and  sorrow,  and  she  earnestly  besought  me 
to  be  with  her  in  her  last  moments.  I  could 
only  say,  "  As  the  Lord  wills." 

Early  one  morning  I  went  to  the  farm. 
All  was  still.  The  voices  of  the  little  chil- 
dren were  silent,  the  shutters  of  the  win- 
dows where  I  had  so  often  seen  the  poor 
mother  watching  for  me  were  closed.  She 
had  passed  away.  When  death  seized  her  at 
midnight,  a  messenger  was  sent  to  bid  me  to 
her  bed  of  death.  He  wearied  himself  in 
vain  to  find  me  in  the  town,  forgetting  the 
direction  of  the  cottage,  and   when  he  re- 


172  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

turned  from  his  unsuccessful  errand  she  had 
peacefully  passed  the  Jordan's  waters,  need- 
ing not  the  weak  reed,  where  the  rod  and 
the  staff  of  the  Gi-eat  Shepherd  had  com- 
forted her.  The  faithful  servant  had  taken 
the  little  children  to  their  home,  and  as  I  re- 
turned through  the  corn-field,  now  reaped 
and  carried,  where  I  had  placed  my  first 
tract,  in  prayer  and  weakness,  I  praised  Him 
who  turneth  the  wilderness  into  a  standing 
water,    and    the    dry    ground    into    water- 


springs. 


0  Lord,  my  God,  by  Thee 

My  lonely  path  is  made ! 
Why  do  I  shun  Thy  cross? 

Why  am  I  thus  afraid? 
The  storm  may  howl  in  wrath, 

And  clouds  obscure  the  light: 
Thou  guidest  still  my  path  : 

*Tis  ever  in  Thj'  sight. 

Before  me  Thou  wilt  go : 

Thou  keepest  watch  above : 
Thou  kuow'st  the  way  I  do  not  know, 

And  all  Thy  ways  are  love. 
O  Thou  sweet  Dove  of  Peace ! 

My  sinking  spirit  fill ; 
Show  me,  though  comforts  cease, 

That  Thou  art  with  me  still. 


"WATERSPKLNGS  EST  A  DRY  GROUND.      173 

Tliou  art  my  strength,  0  Lord ! 

And  here,  with  grief  opprest, 
I  trust  thy  faithful  word. 

My  stronghold  and  my  rest! 
My  hiding-place  I  find, 

My  shadow  from  the  heat. 
My  shelter  from  the  desert  wind  — 

All,  all  at  Jesus  feet. 

Another  time  when  I  proved  the  faithful- 
ness of  God  was  in  a  remote  hamlet  in  Eng- 
land. I  had  suddenly  been  called  to  leave 
the  cottage  in  which  I  had  dwelt  some  weeks, 
and  I  was  sorry  to  quit  the  quiet  seclusion  of 
the  green  woodlands  in  which  my  tent  had 
been  pitched,  and  where  I  hoped  to  have 
remained,  although  I  knew  I  had  no  guid- 
ance as  to  what  direction  I  should  take.  Fri- 
day went  by  sadly,  and  on  Saturday  I  must 
depart.  This  was  a  day  of  trial.  The  land- 
lady, who  was  angry  at  my  departure,  desired 
to  know  by  what  train  I  should  leave  ;  and 
when  I  told  her  it  was  uncertain,  she  deluged 
the  room  with  water  for  a  special  house- 
cleaning,  which  began  in  my  bedroom,  and 
compelled  me  to  have  my  luggage  moved 
into  the  entrance  passage. 


174  THE  WATCH  TOWEE. 

I  could  uot  tell  whither  to  bend  my  steps. 
The  bedroom  would  be  unfit  for  occupatioa 
that  night  ;  but  there  was  yet  a  post  dehvery 
of  letters,  the  only  one  that  day.  Oh,  how  I 
listened  and  watched  for  the  postman  I  I 
felt  assured  he  would  bring  me  a  letter  to 
point  me  on  my  pilgrim  way.  He  passed.  I 
was  sure  he  would  return  with  a  letter ;  but 
he  came  not.  Then  my  cup  seemed  full. 
God  had  called  me  to  "  arise,"  and  He  had 
not  shown  me  where  to  go. 

Sinking  hearts,  take  courage,  and  say  not, 
*'  God  will  deliver  me  in  such  a  time  and  in 
such  a  manner."  Limit  Him  not.  He  never 
comes  too  late.  The  trial  of  your  faith  is 
more  precious  than  of  gold  that  perisheth, 
though  it  be  tried  with  fire.  My  last  hope 
of  external  help  had  gone.  I  lay  down  on 
the  sofa  prepared  for  my  journey.  I  never 
felt  forsaken.  I  had  no  self-reproach.  I  did 
not  feel  I  had  fallen  into  a  snare  ;  but  the 
Lord  was  waiting  for  a  full  surrender  of  my 
wiU.  At  last  it  came.  I  was  able  to  say 
from  my  soul,  "  As  Thou  wilt,"  and  "  When 


"WATERSPKINGS  IN  A  DRY  GKOUND.      175 

Thou  wilt."  I  had  asked  Ilira  to  guide  me. 
He  has  promised  to  guide  us  with  His  eye. 

I  listened  no  more  for  the  post,  for  that 
had  passed.  The  train  due  at  the  nearest 
station  had  long  since  come  in,  and  brought 
me  nothing  ;  and  so  I  looked  up  to  Him  who 
had  called  me  to  cast  all  my  care  upon  Him, 
and  I  had  so  cast  it. 

A  rapid  step  up  the  garden  path,  and  a 
sharp  knock  at  the  door,  made  me  spring  to 
my  feet.  There  stood  a  special  messenger 
from  a  neighboring  town  with  a  telegram. 
The  wires  had  been  broken,  and  it  had  thus 
been  delayed.  It  was  from  a  friend,  who  I 
knew  not  was  in  the  country,  in  trouble, 
praying  me  to  go  to  her  without  a  moment's 
delay ;  and  a  carriage  and  servant  awaited  me 
at  the  station  of  the  town  whence  the  tele- 
gram was  despatched,  and  where  she  had 
already  engaged  apartments  for  me.  It 
seemed  impossible  to  reach  the  station  in 
time,  but  the  Lord  had  ordained  it. 

There  were  no  carriages  in  the  place  ;  but 
a  little  pony-chair,  kept  bj  a  youth  half  a 


176  THE  "WATCH  TOWER. 

mile  from  tlie  cottage,  was  returning  from  an 
■unsuccessful  journey  to  the  up  train.  The 
messenger  hailed  him,  assisted  with  my  lug- 
gage, already  at  the  door,  and  in  twenty 
minutes  I  was  at  the  station,  with  a  heart  full 
of  thanksgiving  and  lips  of  praise.  That 
day  the  train  was  overdue,  and  I  had  learned 
a  lesson  of  trust  in  the  living  God ;  and  look- 
ing from  failing  cisterns,  I  had  received  what 
I  needed  from  the  fountain. 

When  I  had  remained  a  short  time  at  this 
town  I  was  most  clearly  called  onward  ;  and 
as  I  look  back  I  see  what  I  could  not  see  then, 
that  one  in  the  bloom  and  strength  of  youth, 
to  whom  I  was  unmistakably  sent  for  warning 
and  blessing,  stood  on  the  border  of  tho 
grave,  her  strength  and  life  to  be  sapped  in  a 
moment,  whom  I  should  behold  no  more  until 
we  meet  in  our  Father's  house  above. 


WAYSIDE  SERVICE; 


OR, 


THE   DAY  OF  SMALL  THINGS. 


BY 


ANNA    SHIPTON, 

AUTHOR    OF    "tell  JESUS,"    "THE   SECRET    OF    THE    LORD," 
"WAITING    HOURS,"    "ASKED   OF    GOD," 
ETC.,    ETC. 


NEW   YORK: 
PUBLISHED   BY   T.   Y.   CROWELL, 

744   BROADWAY. 


TO 

THE   LORD  JEHOVAH, 

Pg  ^trtngt^  anir  mg  S^ong, 

WHO  8EETH  THE  END  FROM  THE  BEGINNING, 

MXD    DOTH   NOT    DESPISE    THE    DAY    OF    SMALL    THINGS, 

I    COMMIT   MY    WEAK    WORDS.       I    PRAY 

HIM  TO  GUIDE  AND  BLESS  THEM 

TO  THE  POOR  AND  NEEDY 

AND  AFFLICTED  OF 

HIS  FAMILY, 


Jfor  pis  fame's  Sinkt, 


CONTENTS. 


chapter  l                               facb. 
The  Bright  Light  dt  the  Cloitd 7 


CHAPTER  II.  • 

The  Spikit  of  Truth 83 


CHAPTER  IIL 
The  Blessed  poor 49 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Precious  Fruit 68 

CHAPTER  V. 
En-hakkore.    "The  Well  of  Him  that  Cried"  .  88 

CHAPTER  VI. 
The  Pleasant  Plant 12l» 

CHAPTER  Vn. 
Under  thk  Junipeb 154 


WAYSIDE     SERVICE 
CHAPTER    I. 

THE  BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN   THE   CLOUD. 

Bebold,  there  arlseth  a  little  cloud  out  of  the  sea,  like  a  mar 'a 
hand.— 1  Kings  xviii.  44. 

OU  may  be  taken  a  long  way  to  do  a  very 
little  thing."  This  was  my  song  in  the 
night ;  my  bright  light  in  the  cloud. 
It  was  the  chill,  dark  hour  that  precedes  the 
dawn.  A  Christian  nurse  had  kept  her  watch 
by  my  bed,  which  promised  to  be  one  of  death. 
The  silence  of  the  weary  hours  had  been  un- 
broken save  by  my  hoarse,  struggling  breath. 

Lacking  the  faith  of  the  little  child,  who 
trusts  where  it  cannot  trace  the  mystery  of  a 
Father's  love,  I  whispered, 

"I  wonder  ivhy  the  Lord  has  brought  me 
Aere." 


8  "WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

My  listener  understood  all  that  the  regret- 
ful tone  comprehended,  and  with  the  assurance 
produced  by  experience  of  the  faithfulness  of 
the  Wonderful  Counselor,  she  replied, 

"  You  may  be  taken  a  long  way  to  do  what 
seems  to  you  a  very  little  thing." 

Those  words  were  sweeter  to  my  soul  than 
a  seraph's  song.  I  recognized  them  from  the 
heart  of  my  compassionate  High  Priest,  touch- 
ed with  the  feeling  of  my  infirmities.  On  the 
dew  of  his  grace  fell  the  manna  that  cometh 
down  from  heaven,  —  "  What  I  do  thou  know- 
est  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter." 

"  All  the  day  long  have  I  been  plagued,  and 

chastened  every  morning When  I 

thought  to  know  this,  it  was  too  painful  for 
me  ;  until  I  went  into  the  sanctuary  of  God  ; 
then  understood  I  their  end."  In  the  sanctu- 
ary of  his  presence  we  can  alone  understand 
his  will ;  and  "  this  is  the  will  of  God,  even 
your  sanctification."  For  the  rest,  what  we 
know  not  now  we  shall  know  hereafter. 

A  natural  dread  of  suffering  is  often  the 
obstacle  in  the  way  of  following  the  Lord  ful- 


THE   BRIGHT   l.IGHT   IN  THE   CLOUD.         9 

ly ;   and  the  reasoning  of  our    "  own  under- 
standing "  ignores  the  necessity  of  apparently  , 
trivial  and  fruitless  objects  in  our  path. 

There  are  no  circumstances  that  act  solely 
on  one  individual.  Many  painful  and  myste- 
rious positions  have  been  necessary  to  bring 
about  certain  results  for  others  ;  but  they  are 
used  at  the  same  time  as  a  school  for  ourselves. 
If  we  have  lived  within  the  vail,  we  shall  have 
discerned  a  Father's  hand  teaching  and  prov- 
ing the  child  of  his  love.  Any  service  which 
has  not  brought  us  into  a  deeper  experience  of 
God  himself  will  leave  but  an  unprofitable 
servant,  who  will  be  inclined  to  regard  any 
visible  success  attending  his  labors  as  wrought 
out  by  his  own  ability. 

Many  of  the  Lord's  providential  dealings 
with  his  people  are  preparatory  to  service  ;  of- 
ten -t  is  a  secret  dealing  with  the  soul ;  some- 
times outward  tribulation. 

There  is  to  each  of  us  in  our  own  individual 
history  much  that  we  cannot  penetrate.  Per- 
haps we  are  not  prepared  to  receive  it,  perhaps 
the  purpose  is  not  yet  fulfilled.     If  the  Lord 


10  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

does  not  reveal  to  us  his  designs  for  the  future, 
he  does  his  will  in  our  present  duty ;  for  "  the 
testimony  of  the  Lord  is  sure,  making  wise  the 
simple  ;  the  commandment  of  the  Lord  is  pure, 
enlightening  the  eyes." 

Each  separate  service  and  testimony  has 
equal  value  in  the  sight  of  Him  who  requires 
it  at  our  hands.  If  "  the  Lord  has  need  of  it," 
it  is  enough.  When  Jesus  sent  for  the  colt 
whereon  never  man  sat,  the  owner  of  the  ass 
little  surmised  that  the  Messiah  had  chosen 
him  to  furnish  the  means  of  his  triumphal 
entrance  into  Jerusalem  ;  still  less  could  he 
penetrate  all  that  was  comprehended  in  that 
significant  transaction. 

When  "  cumbered  about  much  serving," 
the  eye  is  not  on  the  Master,  but  on  the  ser- 
vice. Natural  energy  will  climb  mountains  of 
difficulty,  when  patient  acquiescence  in  the 
Lord's  will,  learned  perhaps  slowly  and  pain- 
fully, would  have  wrought  out  an  abiding 
blessing. 

If  a  mother  bids  her  child  go  into  the  garden 
close  by  her  dwelling  and  gather  her  the  fruit 


THE   BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN  THE   CLOUD.      11 

she  has  specified,  and  the  child  in  the  perver- 
sity of  his  will  chooses  to  wander  over  a 
mountain  for  what  he  imagines  to  be  rarer 
and  more  acceptable,  will  his  mother  approve 
him  ?  He  has  been  long  from  her  side,  he  has 
gone  into  danger  unsent ;  and  if  he  finds  fruit, 
it  is  the  produce  of  disobedience,  and  the 
fruit-gatherer  will  miss  the  child's  sweetest 
reward  —  a  mother's  smile. 

I  would  not  by  this  appear  to  underrate 
great  enterprises  seen  of  men,  acknowledged 
and  visibly  blessed.  But  as  the  few  rather 
than  the  many  are  called  to  them,  I  would  seek 
to  encourage  and  arouse  those  who  complain 
that  they  are  without  any  place  of  service,  or 
who,  seeking  to  join  themselves  to  some  organ- 
ization, become  entangled  in  sisterhoods  and 
brotherhoods.  With  eyes  and  hearts  on  the 
directors,  they  give  flattering  titles  to  men, 
and  living  on  second-hand  thoughts,  remem- 
bered Bible  readings,  or  first  experiences,  de- 
cline in  the  divine  life,  instead  of  seeking  a 
fresh  anointing,  and  growing  up  in  the  light 
and  dew  freely  given  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 


12  "WAYSIDE   SEEVTCE. 

God's  people  are  "  a  peculiar  people."  Each 
one  possesses  an  individuality  of  liis  own. 
They  are  vessels  of  the  Lord,  in  which  his 
glory  is  to  be  made  known  to  men  and  angels. 
There  may  be  light  enough  to  show  that  it  is 
a  vessel ;  but  unless  it  be  filled  with  the  Spirit, 
the  beauty  of  the  skillful  workmanship  of  the 
Potter  is  not  shown  forth.  To  be  filled  with 
religious  opinions  and  sentiments  is  not  to  be 
filled  with  the  Spirit.  The  absence  of  power 
in  the  church  arises  from  lack  of  faith  in  re- 
ceiving the  Word  of  God,  and  individually 
appropriating  it. 

Vessels  unto  honor  must  be  made  meet  for 
the  service  of  the  sanctuary.  The  least  of 
such  vessels  is  of  gold  thrice  refined,  and  must 
have  the  dross  taken  a,wa,y.  Prov.  xxv.  4. 
This  must  be  made  evident  to  the  church,  if 
need  be,  for  example  and  encouragement,  and 
to  tlie  world  for  testimony.  John  xvii.  21. 
We  know  it  is  seen  of  Him  who  watches  over 
his  precious  ore  in  the  fuvnaoe,  molding  it  into 
a  shape  of  beauty,  though  to  others  it  may 
seem  but  an  unsightly  mass.     In  the  smelting 


THE  BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN  THE   CLOUD.      IB 

process  of  many  a  fiery  ordeal  nothing  is  seen 
as  it  really  exists,  nor  is  it  for  us  to  look  too 
closely  upon  the  strange  fuel  about  to  be  con- 
sumed. For  "no  chastening  for  the  present 
seemeth  to  be  joyous  but  grievous  :  neverthe- 
less afterward  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruit 
of  righteousness  unto  them  which  are  exer- 
cised thereby."     Heb.  xii.  11. 

But  though  we  may  not  too  curiously  inves- 
tigate the  process  of  sanctification  at  these 
seasons,  there  is  one  object  to  which  the  be- 
wildered gaze  may  turn  ;  it  is  to  the  sympa- 
thizing face  of  the  great  Refiner.  Unchanged 
and  unchangeable,  he  watches  over  his  pre- 
cious ore,  until  he  beholds  himself  reflected 
there  in  increasing  beauty.  O  child  !  it  is  not 
tin  that  he  is  refining,  but  gold,  fine  gold.  He 
has  prepared  a  place  and  service  for  you  in 
the  upper  sanctuary  in  his  Father's  house,  and 
he  must  prepare  you  for  it.  So  doth  he 
"  make  known  the  riches  of  his  glory  on  the 
vessels  of  mercy,  which  he  hath  afore  prepared 
unto  glory."  Rom.  ix.  23.  The  temple  of  the 
Loid  must  be  builded.     He  needs  the  chiseled 


14  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

stones,  the  polished  jewels.  He  is  preparing 
them,  and  the  work  is  done  in  silence.  We 
miss  some  from  their  accustomed  places  of 
service,  and  we  mourn,  and  think  how  much 
we  have  lost.  Oh,  let  us  think  how  much  will 
he  their  gain,  and  say,  "  Father,  glorify  thi/- 
self!  "  There  has  ascended  a  cry  from  many 
of  the  Lord's  disciples,  to  be  conformed  to  the 
likeness  of  him  whom  they  love  and  serve. 
The  Lord  has  heard,  and  he  is  answering  them. 
Like  the  disciples  of  old,  they  are  "  amazed," 
and  as  they  follow  him,  they  are  "  afraid." 
Friends,  ye  have  importuned  the  Lord  for 
great  things,  now  let  him  choose  the  way  in 
which  they  shall  be  received. 

How  is  it  that  we  do  not  expect  these  deal- 
ings, and  instead  of  crying,  "  All  these  things 
are  against  us,"  that  we  have  not  faith  to  lay 
hold  of  them  with  "  All  things  are  ours "  ? 
Simply  because  we  judge  after  the  natural 
senses,  not  discerning  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in 
the  instruments  of  his  work,  or  expecting  the 
refining  as  our  own  portion,  if  we  look  for  a 
deeper  experience  of  heavenly  knowledge  for 
ourselves. 


THU  BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN   THE   CLOUD.       15 

A  friend  asked  a  very  interesting  woman 
in  a  convent  we  visited  why,  with  health  and 
strength  and  intelligence,  she  could  not  find 
occupation  out  of  a  convent?  She  replied, 
she  wanted  to  be  useful.  She  saw  nothing  to 
do,  no  place  for  her  in  the  world,  so  she  left 
her  father,  and  mother,  and  family,  and  shut 
herself  up  for  life,  to  live  under  the  rule  of  a 
strict  discipline,  and  offer  a  self-chosen  sacri- 
fice. Two  young  sisters  had  followed  her; 
and  I  looked  on  their  early  resting-places  in 
the  burying-ground  of  the  convent. 

Many  of  my  dear  young  countrywomen  are 
wandering  into  self-chosen  ways,  joining  Rom- 
ish institutions  with  Protestant  names,  and 
doing  their  own  will  with  a  sincerity  of  pur- 
pose that  belongs  to  the  natural  heart,  \yhich 
they  miscall  "zeal." 

You  urge,  "There  must  be  a  blessing  on  good 
works."  There  is  nothing  "good"  in  itself. 
2  Tim.  ii.  5.  It  is  only  popish  superstition  to 
pretend  that  place  or  service  is  holy,  irrespec- 
tive of  God's  Holy  Spirit,  or  that  counsel  and 
example  of  others  free  us  from  the  injunction 


16  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

to  acknowledge  the  Lord  in  all  our  ways,  that 
he  may  direct  our  paths.  If  you  are  born  of 
God,  and  there  is  no  place  assigned  to  you, 
then  you  are  a  marvel  in  fhe  spiritual  creation. 
Perhaps  you  have  some  preconceived  views  of 
what  service  wiU  best  suit  your  natural  taste. 
"As  the  eyes  of  a  servant  look  unto  the  hand 
of  his  master,  and  as  the  eyes  of  a  maiden  unto 
the  hand  of  her  mistress,"  so  shall  the  servant 
of  the  King  of  kings  be  guided  to  the  ministry 
the  Lord  has  need  of.  The  order  of  creation 
lacks  nothing.  The  elephant,  the  horse,  the 
whale,  do  not  displace  one  another,  and  yet 
there  is  room  for  the  burnished  beetle,  the 
humming-bird,  and  the  minnow  in  the  glanc- 
ing waters. 

If  there  is  life  in  you,  there  is  place  for  you ; 
but  if  you  have  only  the  form  of  life,  and  have 
built  on  any  other  foundation  than  Christ, 
then  your  work  shall  not  abide  the  tribulation 
which  shall  prove  it.  "Not  every  one  that 
saith  unto  me.  Lord,  Lord,  shall  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven,  but  he  that  doeth  the  will 
of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven." 


THE  BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN   THE   CLOUD.      17 

When  I  was  at  Genoa,  a  morning  of  oppres- 
sive heat  Avas  followed  by  one  of  those  devas- 
tating storms  which  sweep  along  the  Mediter- 
ranean in  the  spring.  The  window  of  my 
apartment  (now  a  hotel,  but  formerly  a  palace 
of  the  Prince  of  Orange)  was  close  upon 
another  of  those  ancient  palaces  with  which 
this  beautiful  city  abounds.  Through  the 
marble  balustrades  of  the  neighboring  window, 
I  was  attracted  by  the  dimpled  hands  of  a 
child,  busy  in  placing  some  gathered  roses 
around  the  columns.  The  burning  sun  left 
the  roses  fading.  Some  large  drops  of  rain 
fell  at  intervals ;  as  they  plashed  heavily  on 
the  balcony,  I  saw  the  dark  ejes,  of  the  Italian 
boy  eagerly  watching  the  promised  refresh- 
ment to  his  withering  treasures. 

On  the  ornamental  facade  above  grew  a  lit- 
tle white  flower  ;  the  seed  probably  carried  by 
the  wind.  I  marveled  how  its  root  could  have 
found  place,  or  earth,  or  nourishment;  but  I 
observed  that  it  was  close  to  the  pipe  that  car- 
ried the  rain  to  the  well  below.  Hosea  xiv.  5. 
Upon  the   slender  stem  were   several   buds  ; 


18  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

but  flower,  and  buds,  and  leaves,  were  alike 
drooping  under  the  scorching  rays  of  an  Ital- 
ian Gun. 

Heavy,  heavier,  came  the  storm  ;  and  as  the 
thunder  rolled  the  child  retreated  from  the 
window.  I  saw  him  no  more.  I  looked  the 
following  day  to  the  balcony.  All  that  re- 
mained of  the  roses  were  a  few  discolored 
leaves  and  the  string  which  held  the  bare 
stems ;  but  the  sheltered  flower  above  had 
blossomed  into  beauty,  stronger  for  the  storm. 
"Where  the  tiny  buds  had  been  I  counted  six  or 
seven  white  flowers,  which,  perhaps,  in  time 
have  cast  their  seed  again  to  some  hidden  cre- 
vice, unseen  and  untended  by  man,  but  not 
unmarked  by  God,  and  needed  by  him  to  teach 
a  lesson  of  life  and  love  to  other  hearts,  as 
they  had  done  to  mine. 

If  there  is  a  place  for  you,  then  assuredly, 
if  you  wait  on  the  Lord,  you  will  find  it,  and 
having  found  it,  you  will  know  what  the  Lord 
hath  need  of.  The  porters  in  the  temple  were 
as  numerous  as  the  singers,  and  the  watching 
of  the  gates  was  as  needful  as  the  service  of 


THE  BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN   THE    CLOUD.      19 

song.  Those  who  stand  by  night  in  the  house 
of  the  Lord  are  as  much  in  service  as  the  play- 
ers on  musical  instruments  in  the  morning. 
To  know  the  Lord's  will  and  to  do  it  is  service ; 
and  "  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  it  maketh  rich, 
and  he  addeth  no  sorrow  with  it." 

Having  arrived  at  a  place  where  I  was 
almost  a  stranger,  one  morning  on  waking 
these  words  were  impressed  on  my  mind  ; 
"  Thou  shalt  make  the  widow's  heart  to  sing 
for  joy."  I  thought  over  all  my  poor  and 
needy  friends  to  remember  who  could  lay 
claim  to  special  providence  and  protection  as  a 
widow,  but  I  could  not  find  one  that  satisfied 
me  that  I  had  anything  to  do  for  her ;  yet  the 
words  followed  me  with  so  much  power  that  I 
thought,  perhaps,  I  should  be  shown  whom  I 
could  help  during  the  day. 

I  had  made  an  arrangement  with  a  chairman 
to  take  me  to  a  neighboring  village,  and  while 
I  waited  for  him  the  servant  said, 

"  Have  you  heard  of  the  shocking  accident 
at  the  great  house  close  by  the  road  ?  One  of 
the  workmen  has  fallen  fi-om  the  hiq;h  ladder 
and  is  crushed  to  death." 


20  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

My  heart  sank,  and  I  could  scarcely  articu- 
late, "  Was  he  young  ?  " 

The  reply  only  increased  my  trouble :  "  Oh, 
yes ;  quite  young." 

I  felt  almost  as  if  his  blood  were  on  my  soul. 
Two  evenings  previously  I  walked  by  the  gar- 
den where  the  building  was  proceeding,  first 
intending  to  speak  to  the  men,  and  give  them 
some  tracts,  but  I  lacked  courage  when  I 
heard  their  foolish  jesting.  I  did  not  seek  the 
Strength  of  Israel,  who  had  ever  been  my 
shield  and  buckler,  and  my  walk  was  accord- 
ingly. 

\  remembered  a  youth  on  the  ladder,  who 
was  diverting  his  fellow-laborers  with  his  re- 
marlfs,  as  he  had  observed  the  tracts  in  my 
hand.  And  now  where  was  he  ?  I  thought, 
perhaps  the  Lord  had  sent  me  to  that  spot 
with  an  invitation  of  mercy  to  a  perishing 
soul,  and  the  ribald  joke  and  sneer  of  a  poor 
creature  on  the  brink  of  hell  kept  me  from 
delivering  it. 

Imagination  pictured  the  dying  agonies  of 
that  active  vigorous  frame,  and  the  undying 


THE  BRIGHT   LIGHT  IN  THE  CLOUD.        21 

agonies  of  the  soul.  I  knew  the  Lord  would 
not  let  any  perish  through  man's  unbelief  and 
sinful  carelessness;  but  my  unfaithfulness 
remained  tlie  same.  Every  pulse  and  nerve 
throbbed  with  pain ;  I  could  see  nothing  but 
that  I  might  have  spoken  for  the  blessed  ]Mas- 
ter  whose  tender  love  encompassed  me  contin- 
ually, and  I  did  not. 

INIy  heart  was  desolate,  and  made  its  cry  in 
h'jlplessness  for  comfort  from  Him  who  could 
alone  console.  "  Lord,  help  me,"  Avas  all  my 
prayer.  Intent  to  wait  this  day  at  least  on  the 
Lord,  and  follow  him,  I  tarried  vainly  for  the 
chairman  I  had  engaged  ;  I  went  to  his  stand, 
but  he  had  not  arrived.  One  other  man  only 
was  there,  for  it  was  an  unusually  early  hour. 
He  offered  me  his  chair  ;  I  told  him  I  must 
wait,  as  I  had  engaged  one.  A  little  time 
elapsed,  the  man  civilly  suggested  that  I 
should  now  engage  him,  and  I  consented,  and 
he  went  the  route  I  indicated. 

We  had  to  pass  the  end  of  the  road,  whence 
the  high  scaffold  around  the  buildings  was  vis- 
ible.    He  said, 


22  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

"  There 's  been  a  terrible  business  there  tliis 
morning,  ma'am." 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  know,"  I  replied  hastil}^  dread- 
ing to  hear  the  awful  details. 

"  Poor  fellow !  "  persisted  the  man,  "he  did 
not  think  his  end  would  be  so  soon  when  he 
went  out  to  his  work  this  morning." 

"  Did  you  know  him  ?  "    I  inquired  eagerly. 

"  Yes,  I  tliink  I  did,  too,"  said  the  man. 

"  Was  he  fit  to  die  ?  "  I  summoned  courage 
to  ask,  and  I  gasped  for  the  reply. 

The  man  stopped,  and  turning  to  me  with 
solemnity  replied, 

"  He  was." 

Oh  the  bright  light  in  the  cloud  !  I  believed 
him.  The  shadow  of  my  sorrow  rolled  away, 
and  a  deep  realized  sense  of  God's  unfailing 
love  came  on  my  soul. 

"  Lord,  help  me  !  "  Yea,  he  had  laid  help 
on  Him  that  is  mighty.  One  chairman  had 
been  kept  back,  and  the  other  sent,  who 
should  lift  the  horrible  suspense  from  my 
mind.  The  Lord  had  taken  away  the  sin,  and 
the  chastening  had  left  me  with  a  heart  more 


THE   BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN   THIJ   CLOUD.      23 

bent  on  doing  liis  will  and  watching  where  he 
might  need  me. 

"  Why  do  you  think  he  was  fit  to  die  ?  "  I 
could  now  say,  no  longer  shrinking  from  the 
subject. 

"  Because,  ma'am,  he  was  a  changed  man." 

"  How  was  he  changed  ?  " 

"  One  evening  going  home  from  work  he 
heard  Mr.  Guhin^ss  preach.  It  threw  him 
into  great  trouble  ;  he  felt  his  sins,  and  told 
me  after  that  he  knew  thwn  pardoned.  Once 
he  swore  and  lived  like  others,  but  then  he 
changed.  I  don't  know  all  about  it ;  I  only 
know  he  was  an  altered  man.  I  did  not  live 
near  him  then." 

"  He  was  young."  I  asked,  "  Has  he  left 
parents  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  ;  I  think  not.  He  had  a  wife 
and  two  or  three  little  children." 

My  heart  grew  stronger. 

"  Can  you  tell  me  where  they  live  ?  " 

"  Surely  I  can,"  replied  the  man  ;  "  it  is  in 
the  same  alley  as  myself,  and  I  pass  their  door 
every  day  to  my  stand." 


24  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

"  Take  me  there  at  once,"  I  said. 

"  That  I  will,"  replied  the  man  heartily, 
brushing  away  the  tears  from  his  eyes,  "  and 
God  bless  you  for  going." 

I  prayed  as  I  went  along  for  the  Lord  to 
prepare  the  way  before  me.  Suddenly  there 
came  to  my  mind  various  articles  which  I 
ought  to  take  with  me,  so  I  returned  to  a  shop 
at  a  little  distance  in  an  opposite  direction. 
Shopping,  always  tedious,  seemed  more  than 
ever  so  this  day  ;  so  many  articles  were  rec- 
ommended that  I  did  not  inquire  for,  and  so 
many  presented  that  I  did  not  need.  I  felt 
impatient,  but  checked  myself ;  for  I  remem- 
bered that  I  had  asked  the  Lord  to  direct  all 
my  steps,  and  that  he  could  quicken  the  move- 
ments of  the  tedious  shopkeepers.  Yes,  the 
Lord  could,  but  he  did  not.  On  looking  at 
my  watch  I  found  I  had  been  half-an-hour 
there  in  procuring  what  might  have  been  ob- 
tained in  ten  minutes. 

We  went  to  the  alley.  A  crowd  lingered 
round  the  house  indicated  as  the  one  I  sought. 
I  left  the  chair  at  the  end  of  the  street,  and 


THE   BRIGHT   LTGHT  DT   THE   CLOTJD.      25 

making  my  way  through  the  crowd  ascended 
the  few  broken  steps  to  the  door,  and  asked 
permission  to  enter.  The  alley  was  deluged 
with  water ;  the  threshold  streamed,  so  did  the 
passage  and  the  kitchen ;  and  on  the  wet 
stones  in  the  midst  was  a  scene  of  woe  never 
to  be  obliterated  from  my  memory. 

The  widow  sat  on  the  ground,  in  the  first 
grief  that  only  feels  death  is  there.  At  her 
breast  was  a  weak,  ailing  infant,  crying  for  the 
nourishment  it  sought  in  vain.  A  little  girl 
sat  close  by  her  mother  sobbing,  and  an  older 
boy,  more  conscious  of  his  loss,  weeping  bitter- 
ly. The  kind  neighbors  wept.  All  had  tears 
but  the  one  it  concerned  the  most. 

"  It  is  very  wet  for  j^ou,  ma'am,"  said  one 
of  the  neighbors,  as  she  fetched  me  a  piece  of 
carpet  from  her  own  house  ;  adding,  "  They 
have  only  just  carried  the  poor  body  through 
the  house,  and  this  is  wh}'  3-0U  see  so  much 
water." 

The  mournful  significance  of  this  remark 
revealed  my  Father's  care.  The  half  hour  I 
thought    "Avasted,"  had  saved  me  from   the 


26  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

sight  which  would  have  unfitted  me  for  53er- 
vice.  He  had  sent  me  to  the  living,  not  to 
the  dead.  I  spoke  to  the  stricken  woman  of 
her  loss ;  but  she  heeded  me  not.  I  said  a  few 
words  to  the  crowd,  and  asked  them  to  let  me 
close  the  door ;  the  neighbors  went  out,  and 
we  two  sat  alone  with  God.  He  only  could 
touch  that  paralyzed  heart.  I  sat  with  her 
long  in  silent  prayer.  At  last  I  took  her  hand, 
and  said, 

"  You  remember  Jesus,  when  he  was  on 
earth,  went  among  the  broken-hearted.  He  is 
in  heaven.  He  has  sent  me  with  a  messacce  to 
you.  It  is  a  promise  through  3'our  husband 
to  3^ou  ;  '  Leave  thy  fatherless  children,  I  will 
preserve  them  alive ;  and  let  your  widows 
trust  in  me.'  " 

The  poor  woman  started,  and  the  infant 
screamed  ;  but  she  heeded  it  not.  I  went  on 
to  say  ;  "  God  will  provide.  He  has  sent  you 
such  things  as  you  will  find  needful  to-day : 
He  will  care  for  you." 

No  answer,  no  movement,  until  I  rose  and 
Dlaced  what  I  had  brought  in  the  cupboard. 


THE   BRIGHT   LIGHT  IN   THE   CLOUD.      27 

Then  her  eyes  followed  me,  her  lip  trembled, 
and  those  blessed  tears  that  keep  the  heart 
from  breaking  fell  fast  upon  the  child's  pale 
face.  The  wail  of  the  infant  bad  not  reached 
the  mother's  heart ;  God's  message  had.  The 
little  ones  were  clasped  to  her  breast.  It  was 
enough. 

"  He  was  sucb  a  kind  busband,"  she  said 
brokenly.  "  As  soon  as  he  was  changed,  he 
began  to  pray  for  me  and  with  me.  Hours 
after  his  work,  when  I  was  sleeping,  I  would 
wake  and  hear  bim  praying  down  here." 

All  this  was  sweet  to  my  soul ;  and  though 
she  had  not  the  happy  assuratice  of  her  hus- 
band, yet  his  words  and  example  had  been 
greatly  blessed  to  her.  I  persuaded  her  to 
come  to  my  lodgings  sometimes  in  the  even- 
ing; and  though  at  first  she  shrank  from  quit- 
ting her  desolate  home,  yet  I  saw  it  needful 
for  her  ;  and  as  a  neighbor  cared  for  the  chil- 
dren, I  was  thankful  that  she  overcame  her 
disinclination  and  came.  It  was  blessed  to 
watch  the  Lord  in  this  as  in  all  his  dealings. 
Soon  after  the  funeral  she  left  for  a  cottage  in 


28  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

the  country,  which  a  kind  friend  had  provided 
for  her,  and  I  was  led  elsewhere.  I  have  re- 
lated these  details  to  show  forth  his  praise  to 
those  who  wait  on  him. 

We  know  not  the  end  of  the  small  things 
the  Lord  permits  us  to  do  for  ]iim  ;  but  if  it  is 
for  him  it  Avill  be  seen,  if  we  have  not  des- 
pised it.  When  Hanani  visited  his  brother  at 
the  palace  of  Shushan,  and  described  the  des- 
olation of  Jerusalem,  he  knew  not  that  he  was 
the  appointed  messenger  to  lay  its  restoration 
on  the  heart  of  Nehemiah,  still  less  that  he 
would  be  joint-ruler  there.  Certainly  an  offi- 
cer of  the  royal  Jiouseh old  did  not  appear'  the 
most  suitable  person  to  rebuild  the  city. 

Sorrow  of  heart  for  the  reproach  and  afflic- 
tion of  his  people  cast  a  cloud  on  the  brow  of 
Nehemiah.  It  Avas  but  the  shadow  of  the  fin- 
ger of  the  Lord  God,  under  whose  wings  he 
had  come  to  trust,  preparing  the  way  for  his 
journey. 

To  erect  the  gates  which  had  been  burnt 
with  fire,  and  to  rebuild  the  ruined  walls,  was 
but  a  part  of  the  work.      It  was    a   "  great 


THE   BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN   THE   CLOUD.      29 

"work,"  and  tlie  king's  cup-bearer  hneio  it  as 
such,  and  with  every  step  he  took  he  prayed 
to  the  God  of  heaven. 

The  servant  knew  he  had  to  do  with  the 
living  God,  who  aforetime  had  led  his  people 
in  the  day  by  a  cloudy  pillar,  and  in  the  night 
by  a  pillar  of  lire,  to  give  them  light  in  the 
way  wherein  they  should  go.  This  God  was 
his  God ;  Nehemiah's  God  is  our  God. 

In  his  light  he  gathered  materials  for  his 
labors ;  he  organized  his  fellow-workers ;  he 
appointed  the  service  of  the  temple.  It  was 
not  in  his  own  strength  that  he  boldly  testified 
against  the  broken  laws  of  his  God,  and  re- 
proved evil ;  neither  was  it  in  leaning  to  his 
own  understanding  that  he  detected  the  de- 
vices of  his  enemies  to  alarm  when  they  could 
not  allure  him,  and  kept  him  undaunted  amid 
the  stratagems  to  make  him  cease  the  work  to 
which  God  had  called  him. 

Money  and  willing  workers  could  not  meet 
all  his  necessities.  Wisdom  and  discretion 
marked  all  his  steps,  and  showed  that  he  trus- 
ted not  in  an  arm  of  flesh,  but  in  the  strength 
of  Israel. 


30  WAYSIDE   SEEVICE. 

The  faitliful  follower  -will  ever  be  a  consci- 
ous or  unconscious  witness  for  the  Master  he 
serves ;  and  so  it  was  with  Nehemiah.  "When 
his  enemies  heard  of  the  rebuilding  of  the 
walls,  and  the  heathen  who  were  about  saw 
these  things,  they  were  much  east  down  in 
their  own  eyes  ;  they  perceived  thai  the  work 
was  of  God." 

If  ever  there  was  a  day  when  the  laborer  of 
the  Lord  should  work  with  one  hand,  and  with 
the  other  hold  a  weapon,  it  is  now.  "  Watch 
and  pray,"  is  our  watchword.  For  lack  of 
spiritual  understanding  "the  strength  of  the 
bearers  of  burdens  is  decayed,  and  there  is 
much  rubbish,"  so  that  we  are  not  able  to  build 
the  wall.     Nehemiah  iv.  9. 

Sanballat  is  within  the  city,  and  if  he  by 
flattery  cannot  draw  aside  the  servant  of  Jesus 
into  fellowship  and  league  with  him,  then  To- 
biah  will  work  yet  more  insidiously,  or  seek 
to  hinder  by  intimidating  those  whose  only 
hope  should  be,  the  Lord  hath  need  of  me. 

If  your  counsels  are  from  God,  joxm  work 
will  be  seen  to  be  of  him.     Nehemiah  had  but 


THE  BRIGHT   LIGHT   IN   THE   CLOUD.       31 

the  covenant  of  works,  we  have  the  covenant 
of  grace.  The  law  of  God  and  the  love  of 
God  remain  unalterable :  and  the  broken  law 
and  stream  of  love's  redemption  go  side  by 
side. 

Is  your  place,  dear  reader,  in  the  sight  of 
men,  recognized  in  the  great  harvest-field  as 
sent  of  God? 

You  bear  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day  ? 
TRe  greater  you  need  to  realize  continually 
the  sanctuary  of  His  presence  who  has  called 
you,  for  "  it  is  not  in  man  that  walkcth  to 
direct  his  steps." 

Some  of  the  details  will  seem  very  small, 
but  despise  them  not  if  God  is  in  them.  From 
him  you  will  receive  the  wisdom  that  cometh 
from  above  only.  It  will  nerve  you  for  con- 
flict, enlighten  your  ej'cs  to  maintain  a  single- 
eyed  service,  and  keep  your  heart  in  peace,  for 
you  know  not  which  is  more  important.  ^Go, 
speak  of  Jesus  with  a  fervent  heart,  Avarmed 
with  the  contemplation  of  his  beauty,  and  ten- 
der from  the  sight  of  his  minute  care  for  you. 
Live  in  the  power  of  the  Spiiit,  and  you  will 


32  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

.magnetize  tlie  loiterer  by  your  side,  ronse  the 
dull  energies  of  your  slumbering  brethren,  and 
set  in  motion  numberless  engines  to  carry  out 
your  heart's  desire  for  the  glory  of  him  you 
serve. 

Arise  and  follow  Jesus.  Grieve  not  that 
blessed  One  by  standing  afar  off,  or  by  waiting 
for  what  you  think  a  "great  work,"  and  des- 
pising the  day  of  small  things  ;  for  you  know 
not  what  you  do. 

The  soui-ce  of  the  Thames  is  to  be  found  in 
a  little  flowery  brake  on  the  hill-side,  unseen 
if  unsought.  When  the  merchant  looks  in 
proud  satisfaction  on  the  river  on  whose  broad 
bosom  his  richly  freighted  vessels  are  borne, 
he  knows  nothing  of  the  silver  brooldet,  nor 
cares  whence  that  great  body  of  waters  flowed. 
But  —  "  The  Lord  had  need  of  it." 


THE   SPIRIT   OF   TKUTH.  33 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE   SPmiT    OF   TRUTH. 

The  Spirit  of  tnith,  whom  the  world  cannot  receive,  because 
it  seeth  him  not.  neither  Icnowetli  him  :  but  ye  Icnow  him  ; 
for  he  dwelletli  with  you,  and  shall  be  in  you. 

—  JOHNxiv.  17. 

§^ 

■^IT  is  not  marvelous  that  the  enemies  of 
Christ  should  ignore  the  Holy  Spirit  who 
came  to  reveal  him ;  but  it  is  amazing  that 
those  who  are  professedly  of  the  church  of 
Christ,  and  who,  if  really  belonging  to  it,  are 
temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  should  testify  so 
little  of  the  living  God. 

A  mere  verbal  recognition  of  the  office  of 
the  Comforter  costs  nothing  ;  a  belief  in  reve- 
lation would  be  considered  incomplete  without 
it;  but  it  is  one  thing  to  say,  "The  Holy 
Ghost  which  is  given  us,"  and  quite  another 
to  reahze  an  habitual  dependence  on  him.  He 
does  not  take  up  his  abode  in  the  heart  as  a 
doctrine,  but  as  the  life  of  the  new  creature. 


34  WAYSEDE   dEKVICE. 

He  is  there  to  manifest  the  Father  and  the 
Son,  to  enlighten  the  understanding  of  the 
ignorant,  to  make  known  the  hope  of  our  call- 
ing ;  "  and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his 
inheritance  in  the  saints,  and  what  is  the  ex- 
ceeding greatness  of  his  power  to  us-ward  who 
believe,  according  to  the  working  of  liis  mighty- 
power." 

When  Jesus  prepared  the  hearts  of  liis  dis- 
ciples for  the  loss  of  his  personal  presence, 
he  consoled  them  with  the  promise  of  the 
"  Comforter,"  who  should  bring  to  their  re- 
membrance all  things  that  he  had  said  unto 
them,  and  should  abide  with  them  forever. 

In  the  power  of  this  invisible,  but  no  less 
real,  person  of  the  Godhead,  greater  works 
were  to  be  accomplished  than  had  yet  been 
seen,  for  Jesus  had  declared,  "He  that  be- 
lieveth  on  me,  the  works  that  I  do  shall  he 
do  also  ;  and  greater  works  than  these  shall 
he  do,  because  I  go  to  the  Father." 

The  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost  was  the  fruit 
of  the  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of  God.  As  truly 
as  we  receive  justification  through  the  death 


THE   SPIRIT   OF   TRUTH.  36 

of  the  Redeemer,  so  cometli  sanctiflcation 
through  the  Spirit  by  his  life  and  intercession. 
The  Comforter  came  to  reveal  the  great  salva- 
tion wouo^ht  for  us  in  the  finished  work  of 
Christ.  "  It  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go 
away ;  for  if  I  go  not  away,  the  Comforter 
will  not  come  unto  you."  Was  then  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Spirit  at  Pentecost  merely  an 
exhibition  of  his  power  ?  Did  he  reveal  Jesus 
to  those  assembled  in  his  name  at  Jerusalem, 
and  did  he  direct,  and  control,  and  teach  the 
early  church,  —  and  has  he  forsaken  his  church 
to-day?  Nay  ;  hath  not  God  said,  "  He  shall 
abide  with  you /or  every  And  again,  "I  will 
dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in  them."  Why  then 
are  there  so  few  evidences  of  his  almighty 
presence  ?  Why  arc  there  no  mighty  works 
done  here  ?     "  Because  of  their  unbelief." 

Who  can  convince  of  sin  ?  John  xvi.  8. 
Who  can  give  assurance  and  peace  ?  1  John 
iv.  13.  Who  indites  the  prayer  in  the  heart 
where  he  dwelleth  ?  Rom.  viii.  2G.  If  it  is 
the  oflQcc  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  take  of  the 
things  of  Jesus  and  show  them  unto  us,  then 


36  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

it  is  plain  that  an  intellectual  knowledge  of 
salvation  is  of  no  avail  without  him.  We  are 
enjoined  to  be  "led  of  the  Spirit:  "  how  shall 
we  obey  the  precept  if  we  never  seek  to  realize 
him  in  practice  ?     Rom.  iv.  16. 

Jesus  was  led  by  the  Spirit  into  the  wilder- 
ness to  be  tempted  of  the  devil ;  and  when  the 
forty  days  were  accomplished,  and  the  prince 
of  this  world  found  nothing  in  him,  the  sinless 
Saviour  returned  in  the  power  of  the  Spirit 
into  Galilee ;  being  glorified  of  all.  Stephen, 
being  "full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  looked  up 
steadfastly  into  heaven,  and  saw  the  glory  of 
God,  and  Jesus  standing  on  the  right  hand  of 
God."  It  was  in  beholding  liim  who  had 
prayed,  "  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know 
not  what  they  do,"  that  the  first  martyr  could 
follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the  INIaster,  and  pray 
with  his  dying  breath,  "  Lord,  lay  not  this  sin 
to  their  charge."  Acts  %'ii.  55.  Paul,  filled 
with  the  Holy  Ghost,  looked  down  on  the  child 
of  evil,  and  reproved  the  works  of  darkness. 
Acts  xiii.  10.  When  the  little  company  met 
in  concert  to  seek  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  on 


THE  SPIRIT   OF   TRUTH.  37 

their  teaching,  the  very  building  M-'as  sliaken 
by  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  and  they  went 
forth  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  spoke 
the  word  of  God  with  boldness.  When  Philip 
was  preaching  at  Samaria,  with  great  accept- 
ance, many  signs  and  wonders  being  seen,  it 
did  not  appear  clear  to  the  natural  understand- 
ing why  he  should  be  taken  from  his  success- 
ful labor  to  "  Gaza,  which  is  desert,"  to  preach 
Jesus  to  one  solitary  man.  But  the  Spirit  had 
commanded,  and  he  obeyed. 

It  seemed  "  good  "  in  the  sight  of  Joshua  to 
receive  the  Gibeonites,  but  it  was  not  so.  He 
asked  not  counsel  of  the  Lord,  and  the  false 
embassadors  triumphed  in  their  deceit.  Thus 
Israel  had  enemies  inside  the  camp,  although 
but  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water. 
"  This  is  the  work  of  God,  that  ye  believe  on 
Him  whom  he  hath  sent."  "  He  that  believ- 
eth  on  me,  as  the  scripture  hath  said,  out  of 
his  belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water.  But 
this  spake  he  of  the  Spirit,  which  tlie}'  that 
believe  on  him  should  receive :  for  the  Holy 
Ghost  Avas  not  yet  given,  because  that  Jesus 


38  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

was  not  yet  glorified."  John  vii.  38,  39.  If 
he  has  promised  to  lead  us,  shall  we  not  trust 
ourselves  to  his  j^uidance  ?  And  beincr  in  the 
light,  we  shall  see  light,  and  the  testing  times 
of  hope  and  faith  and  patience  shall  bring 
forth  fruit. 

"  The  simple  (or  foolish  man)  believeth 
every  word ;  but  the  prudent  looketh  well  to 
his  going."  Prov.  xiv.  15.  It  is  by  the  pride 
and  unbelief  of  the  carnal  nature  that  our  spir- 
itual senses  are  dulled.  The  mariner  will  judge 
from  the  appearance  of  the  sky  that  a  storm 
is  impending;  he  will  make  for  the  haven, 
look  well  to  his  sails  and  cordage,  and  throw 
overboard  his  freight,  rather  than  risk  the  loss 
of  his  ship  and  the  precious  lives.  Then  shall 
I  not  watch  for  indications  of  my  way  from 
Him  who  laioweth  the  way  that  I  take,  and 
has  said,  "/will  direct  your  paths"?  Who 
does  not  remember  some  excursion  which  we 
hoped  to  enjoy,  but  which  was  dependent  on 
fine  weather — how  often  we  watched  the  indi- 
cations of  the  wind  and  sky  ?  How  warily  the 
merchant  consigns  his  goods  to  a  foreign  mar- 


THE   SPIRIT   OF  TRUTH.  39 

ket.  How  carefully  the  money-making  man 
examines  the  prospects  of  the  funded  interests. 
Their  houi's  of  careful,  patient  watchfulness 
are  praised  as  displaying  needful  foresight  and 
prudence  ;  but  when  the  same  watchfulness  is 
applied  to  spiritual  and  eternal  things  it  is 
called  madness  and  fanaticism.  Yet  the  heav- 
enly "  merchandise  is  better  than  silver,  and 
the  gain  thereof  than  fine  gold." 

Will  God  give  light  on  the  Word,  its  pre- 
cepts, and  its  commands,  and  will  he  withhold 
the  guidance  and  power  for  our  daily  walk  ? 
Is  it  presumption  to  take  him  at  his  word,  and 
to  believe  that  we  can  do  nothing  acceptable 
to  God  without  his  Son  ?  Nay,  is  it  not  rather 
presumption  to  walk  in  the  vain  imaginations 
of  the  heart,  in  a  path  that  no  man  knoweth? 

Humility  does  not  consist  in  a  reiteration  of 
our  sins,  or  in  bcmoaninor  the  bondacrc  from 
which  Jesus  Christ  died  to  deliver  us.  Tho 
truest  humility  is  the  faith  of  the  little  child. 
Conscious  of  its  helplessness  and  ignorance,  it 
leans  confidingly  on  the  father's  breast,  and 
watches  for  a  sign  of  his  will;   so,  with  liis 


40  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

hand  clasped  witHn  the  strong  one  of  love,, 
should  the  child  of  God  trust  in  the  wisdom 
of  Him  to  whom  darkness  and  lisrht  are  both 
alike.  If  the  Holy  Spirit  witnesseth  with  our 
spirit  that  we  are  the  children  of  God,  shall  he 
not  witness  with  our  spirit  when  we  have  done 
his  will  ?  Yea,  surely ;  for  God  is  a  rewarder 
of  them  that  diligently  seek  him. 

We  hear  Christians  praying  daily  for  help 
to  understand  the  word  of  God  whic  j  they 
read,  thus  acknowledging  their  need  of  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  whereby  we  receive 
the  truths  of  revelation,  yet  dishonoring  him 
by  unwatchfulness  as  to  the  experimental 
teaching  of  daily  life,  as  if  this  were  a  thing 
apart  and  not  the  branches  sj)ringing  from  the 
root.  "  If  we  live  in  the  Sj^irit,  let  us  also 
walk  in  the  Spirit."  How  often  is  he  invoked, 
yet  never  watched  for ;  how  often  are  pleas- 
ures sought  and  enjoyed  in  which  he  can  have 
no  share  ;  thus  neglected  and  grieved,  his 
voice  of  love  is  heard  less  frequently  ;  his 
warnings  are  disregarded ;  the  upbraiding  of 
his  holy  jealousy  is  stifled  \  until  the  whisper 


THE   SPIRIT   OF   TRUTH.  41 

of  remonstrance  is  perceived  no  more,  and  the 
Spirit,  well-nigh  quenched,  is  remembered  only 
when  the  chastening  liand  of  the  Father  re 
minds  us  of  our  loss. 

A  friend  with  whom  I  took  "  sweet  coun- 
sel," told  me  that  he*went  to  the  south  for  the 
benefit  of  his  failing  health.  The  new  and 
lovely  scenes  in  which  he  sojourned,  and  the 
void  from  the  lack  of  the  service,  which  had 
over-fully  occupied  him  in  his  own  land,  ten- 
ded to  enervate  the  life  of  faith  within  him, 
and  he  ceased  to  remember  that  to  "  walk 
before  God,"  was  the  service  most  acceptable 
to  his  Master. 

He  was  shut  out  from  his  old  Christian  . 
companionship,  yet  not  more  shut  in  with 
Christ.  And  though  his  physical  health  was 
restored,  his  soul  fell  into  a  careless,  luke-warm 
state.  He  had  been  resting  more  in  his  IMas- 
ter's  work  than  in  his  INIaster's  love.  But  the 
Lord  loved  him,  and  would  not  let  his  wan- 
dering child  remain  in  the  path  of  slothf illness. 
He  became  depressed  and  sad ;  and  while 
mourning  his  backsliding  state,  there  came  to 


42  ■■  "WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

his  mind  a  young  Englishman  of  his  own  age^, 
who  for  many  weeks  had  occupied  apartments 
in  the  same  house  with  him.  He  had  often 
passed  him  on  the  stah^case  and  in  the  street, 
but  the  cliaracteristic  pride  and  reserve  of  my 
friend  kept  him  aloof  from  the  stranger.  Con- 
tent to  accept  the  boon  of  health  as  the  result 
of  his  sojourn  in  a  foreign  land,  he  sought  not 
to  inquire,  "  What  w^ouldst  thou  have  me  to 
do  ?  "  or  to  ask  if  the  Lord  had  need  of  him. 

He  dwelt  among  a  strange  people,  but  were 
there  none  of  his  own  tongue  to  whom  he 
could  speak  of  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ  ?  The  sweet  persuasion  of  the  blessed 
Spirit,  acting  on  his  awakening  soul,  led  him 
to  desire  to  seek  the  acquaintance  of  his  neigh- 
bor. This  was  rendered  the  more  difficult, 
because  he  was  conscious  that  he  had  shunned 
rather  than  sought  his  societ3^  But  the  time 
of  his  departure  drew  near.  Days  passed;  he 
lacked  energy  to  follow  his  conviction ;  and 
when  an  opportunity  offered,  he  lacked  cour- 
age to  take  advantage  of  it.  Each  evening 
brought  a  heavy  burden  cf  broken  resolutions 
and  sorrowful  regrets. 


THE   SPIRIT   OF   TRUTH.  43 

One  night  lie  dared  not  lie  down  to  sleep ; 
he  Avas  conscious  that  he  had  striven  against 
the  whisper  in  his  slothful  heart  aroused  by 
the  love  of  Him,  "  who  speaketh  once  ;  j^ea, 
twice  ;  yet  man  perceiveth  it  not."  Though 
it  was  near  upon  midnight,  he  wrote  a  hurried 
note  to  the  3'oung  man  entreating  him  to  come 
to  him  immediately.  The  stranger,  wonder- 
ing at  the  urgency  of  the  request,  obeyed  the 
summons.  Great  was  his  amazement  to  find 
that  the  gentleman,  who  had  passed  liim  daily 
for  weeks  without  a  sign  of  courtesy,  was  in 
deep  concern  to  know  the  state  of  liis  soul ! 

He  was  startled  by  the  heartfelt  anguish  of 
my  friend,  unconscious  of  the  source  from 
whence  it  sprang ;  and  though  prepared  to 
resent  what  seemed  an  untimely  interference 
in  his  personal  affairs,  he  listened  to  him. 
From  the  broken  heart  of  God's  dear  servant 
went  forth  the  cry  that  brought  a  blessing 
down. 

The  two  young  men  knelt  side  b}""  side,  and 
it  was  morning  before  they  separated.  And 
then,  oh,  how  sweet  was  the  reward !     The 


44  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

• 

young  Englisliman  blessed  the  hand  which 
had  been  so  tardy  in  its  office  of  ministering 
love,  and  confessed  that,  had  the  interview 
been  delayed  one  hour,  he  would  have  entered 
on  a  path  of  sin  and  folly  of  which  he  could 
not  think  without  a  shudder. 

Thus,  in  all  service  the  Lord  works  also 
upon  the  instrument,  and,  in  his  loving-kind- 
ness and  tender  mercy,  often  wooes  back  the 
wandering  soul  with  a  blessing. 

"Love,  deep,  divine,  unsearchable, 
Love  is  tlie  binding  cord, 
Tliat,  liid  beneatli  tlie  cliastening, 
Twines  round  tlie  saints  of  God." 

It  will  preserve  from  self-dependence,  and 
carnal  reasoning,  to  remember  that  the  work 
of  sanctification,  begun  by  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
the  soul,  cannot  be  completed  by  man  himself. 
It  will  on  the  other  hand  uphold  the  sinldng 
heart,  if  he  bear  in  mind  that  almighty  power 
and  wisdom  are  engaged  in  his  behalf.  "  I, 
even  I,  am  he  that  comforteth  you  ;  who  art 
thou,  that  thou  shoiddest  be  afraid  of  a  man 
that  shall  die,  and  of  the  son  of  man  which 
shall   be  made  as  grass ;    and  forgettdst   the 


THE   SPIEIT   OF   TRUTH.  45 

Lord  thy  Maker?"  Isa.  li.  12.  "In  God 
have  I  put  my  trust ;  I  will  not  be  afraid 
what  man  can  do  unto  me."     Psa.  Ivi.  11. 

He  in  whose  hand  is  the  soul  of  every  living 
thing,  and  the  breath  of  all  mankind,  will  he 
not  guard  the  life  he  has  given,  and  deliver 
his  saints  to-day  ?     Acts  xxiii.  21. 

If  we  lightly  esteem  his  presence,  and  cease 
to  guard  it  from  opposing  influences,  he  will 
withdraw  his  smile.  If  we  have  our  treasure 
in  heaven,  our  thoughts  will  be  there,  and  the 
Hoi)-  Spirit  will  reveal  deeper  things  ;  but  if 
the  love  of  the  world  be  admitted,  and  sloth 
enervate  the  life  of  faith,  he  cannot  reveal 
anything  which  will  not  sting  and  wound. 

A  man  of  God,  a  pastor  in  one  of  the  Swiss 
cantons,  was  deeply  interested  in  a  prisoner 
condemned  to  death  for  a  capital  offense. 
Every  day  that  visitors  were  admitted  to  the 
prison  he  was  allowed  to  pass  an  hour  in  the 
condemned  cell.  There  was  no  visible  result, 
but  patiently  and  hopefully  he  still  read  tho 
Word  of  God,  and  prayed  with  the  prisoner, 
setting  before  him  the  offers  of  eternal  life  in 
terms  of  tender  persuasion. 


46  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

The  day  of  execution  drew  near ;  only  one 
day  remained  —  Sunday.  He  could  not  ac- 
count for  the  strange  disinclination  to  the 
service  he  had  hitherto  diligently  fulfilled. 
The  hour  had  struck  which  on  other  days  had 
found  him  at  the  gate  of  the  prison,  and  yet 
he  still  lingered  in  his  house.  He  upbraided 
himself  with  supineness  in  losing  this  last 
opportunity  of  speaking  to  and  reading  with 
the  prisoner ;  and  though  the  impression  deep- 
ened in  his  mind  that  God  willed  not  that  he 
should  go,  he  took  his  hat ;  but  ere  he  crossed 
the  threshold  of  liis  house,  a  voice  warned 
him,  — "  Go  not."  The  sweet  and  solemn 
warning  caused  him  to  tarry.  In  a  conflict  of 
feeling  he  passed  the  hour  for  admittance  ;  but 
still  fearful  of  neglecting  a  duty,  he  rushed  to 
the  prison,  believmg  that  under  such  circum- 
stances, the  rule  as  to  time  would  not  be 
strictly  enforced.  But  ere  he  reached  the 
prison-door,  a  power  he  could  not  resist, 
"  suffered  him  not,"  and  he  returned  to  his 
closet,  assured  that  God  could  work  without 
him,  and  that,  in  returning,  he  obeyed  the  will 
of  Him  whom  he  desired  to  serve. 


THE   SPIRIT   or   TBCJTH.  47 

The  prisoner  had  determined  to  make  one 
desperate  effort  to  escape.  The  visits  of  the 
faithful  pastor  were  between  thiec  and  four 
o'clock ;  the  criminal  had  resolved,  on  his  en- 
trance this  da}',  to  spring  on  him,  smite  him 
dead,  and  escape. 

The  hour  struck,  and  the  servant  of  God 
came  not ;  the  hand  of  love  was  guarding  him 
for  future  usefidness.  The  unhappy  prisoner 
grew  wild  with  disappointment,  and  he  yelled 
in  rage.  The  jailer,  hearing  an  unusual  noise, 
entered  the  cell  abruptly ;  the  prisoner,  sup- 
posing him  to  be  his  expected  visitor,  sprang 
with  the  strength  of  despair  upon  his  victim, 
and  smote  him  on  the  head  with  his  fetters. 
He  fell. dead,  while  the  miu"dcrer  rushed  to 
the  outer  door,  attempting  to  escape,  and  only 
after  a  fierce  struggle  was  captured.  Before 
his  execution  he  confessed  that  he  had  mur- 
dered the  jailer  in  mistake  for  his  kind  and 
pitiful  visitor. 

O  ye  who  think  that  the  actings  of  grace 

exist  in  imagination,  or  satisfy  yourselves  that 

•  the  care  of  the  livmg  God  over  his  saints  is 


48  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

a  "  remarkable  coincidence,"  grieve  not  the 
Holy  Spirit,  but  consider  Lis  ways.  If  ye  be 
born  of  the  Spirit,  "  yield  j'ourselves  servants 
to  obey  ;  "  and  "  fulfill  all  the  good  pleasure 
of  his  goodness,  that  the  name  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  may  be  glorified  in  you,  and  ye 
in  him." 


THE  BLESSED   POOE.  49 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE  BLESSED   POOR. 

He  lifted  up  his  eyes  upon  his  disciples,  and  said,  Blessed  be 
ye  poor ;  for  yours  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.-  Luke  vi.  20. 

'ONEY  is  a  representative  of  many  things, 
but  money  is  not  the  tithe  of  all  that  we 
possess.  There  is  much  to  be  cast  into 
the  treasury  of  the  Lord  besides  the  gold  and 
silver.  "  Give  alms  of  such  things  as  ye 
have.'''' 

Are  you  yourself  poor  and  needy  ?  Then, 
"blessed  are  ye  poor  1  "  The  empty  hands 
outstretched  to  tlie  God  of  the  whole  earth, 
and  the  open  mouth  of  expectation,  are  accep- 
table to  him  ;  for  "  God  is  able  to  make  all 
grace  abound  toward  you ;  that  ye,  always 
having  all  sufficiency  in  all  things,  may 
abound  to  every  good  work."     2  Cor.  ix.  8. 

Often  I  hear  Christians  bemoaning  their 
inabihty  to  "  serve  the  Lord."  Either  he  has 
not  given  them  the  amount  of  gold  and  silver 


50  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

tliey  think  needful  for  the  purpose  which  they 
desire,  or  they  are  feeble  in  body,  or  old,  or 
sick,  or  unfavorably  situated  as  to  family  con- 
nections, so  that  when  they  speak  of  serving 
the  Lord  it  is  with  sorrowful  regrets. 

If  gold  and  silver  are  to  be  the  only  tithe, 
there  will  still  be  a  lack ;  for  then  those  who 
have  them  not  are  exempt  from  the  offering 
which  the  willing  heart  delights  to  lay  upon 
the  altar  of  God's  exceeding  love. 

The  widow's  mite  was  counted  for  more 
than  the  abundance  of  the  rich  and  the  costly 
gifts  in  the  temple,  for  God  looketh  on  the 
heart.  Who  shall  say,  "I  have  nothing  to 
give  ;  I  have  no  service  for  the  Lord  "?  Look 
well  as  to  what  God  has  given  you,  and  then 
you  will  find  a  treasury  in  heaven  from  which 
you  may  draw  without  limitation,  for  with  the 
unspeakable  gift  of  God's  dear  Son,  he  has 
promised  freely  to  give  us  all  things. 

The  prayer  of  faith  is  safe  for  exchange. 
The  coin  of  the  heavenly  realms  bears  on  it. 
"  The  Lord  will  provide,"  with  the  name  and 
superscription  of  the  King  of  kings.     It  never 


THE  BLESSED   POOK.  51 

decreases  in  value ;  it  is  ever  new,  and  bright, 
and  precious  ;  it  enriches  the  giver  and  re- 
ceiver ;  it  will  send  forth  laborers  to  the  wide 
harvest-field,  strengthen  the  weak  hands,  and 
confirm  the  feeble  knees,  as  well  as  supply  the 
wants  of  the  saints,  and  is  "  abundant  also  by- 
many  thanksgivings  unto  God;"  and  when 
this  heavenly  commerce  declines  prosperity 
fails. 

Who  are  the  poor  ?  AU  in  need.  Not  only 
the  homeless  wanderer,  the  forlorn  outcast,  the 
friendless  orphan,  the  ignorant,  the  destitute. 
Those  whom  God  has  raised  up  to  care  for 
them :  many  into  whose  hearts  he  has  shed  his 
Spirit,  and  given  them  to  preach  the  gospel, 
are  themselves  among  the  poor,  though  rich  in 
faith,  and  heirs  of  the  kingdom.  ]\Iany  in 
high  places  are  crying  for  patience  and  faith- 
fulness ;  many  a  teacher  is  asking  for  humility 
and  faith;  many  a  tempted  one  praying  for 
strength  to  stand ;  many  an  oppressed  one  ma- 
ligned and  defamed.  Behold,  the  poor  and 
needy  are  everywhere  1 

The  lessons  taught  us  experimentally  are 


62  WAYSroE   SEE  VICE. 

best  remembered.  I  have  been  very  slow  in 
learning  the  privilege  of  bearing  the  mark  of 
God's  special  care  in  his  chastening  love ;  but 
he  has  taught  me  (blessed  be  his  name!)  it 
was  good  for  me  to  have  been  afflicted.  To 
be  shut  out  from  the  outer  world  is  not  to  be 
shut  out  from  service.  The  temptations 
which  are  found  with  health  and  strength,  and 
the  fair  world  without,  are  not  the  only  ones ; 
nor  are  you  insured  from  the  temptations  from 
witliin.  Nay,  the  seasons  which  afford  rich 
experiences  of  the  love  and  power  of  the  Lord 
are  continually  the  battle-field  of  covetous 
desires,  murmurings,  and  regrets. 

One  of  those  long  twilight  evenings,  which 
so  often  press  upon  the  sick  and  lonely,  found 
me,  as  they  often  did,  weak  and  weary,  trying 
to  "  be  still,"  and  rest  on  Him  whose  wisdom 
ordained  it.  Satan  took  advantage  of  my 
weariness,  and  injected  the  thought  that  never 
more  would  my  weak  hand  convey  to  others 
the  messages  of  mercy ;  that  never  more  would 
my  faltering  tongue  proclaim  my  Saviour's 
grace ;  that  all  ministry  for  me  was  over,  and 


THE  BLESSED   POOB.  53 

there  was  no  room  for  me  on  tliis  widt  field 
save  to  suffer  and  to  die. 

A  pang  shot  through  my  heart,  and  my 
desponding  spirit  bent  beneath  the  dart  of 
the  enemy.  But  we  are  not  ignorant  of  his 
devices,  and  his  conqueror  was  there  ready  to 
defend  his  weak  one. 

The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  lifted  up  a  standard 
against  my  foe :  "  All  power  is  given  unto 
me," —  and  I  was  comforted.  I  saw  that  the 
same  loving  Master  who  had  blessed  the  work 
of  this  feeble  hand  could  bless  it  still,  even  if 
I  could  write  no  more.  It  was  not  my  work, 
but  his  work.  It  was  not  health  or  strength 
I  had  given  him  (and  he  taketh  not  pleasure 
in  the  strength  of  a  horse)  :  he  had  blessed 
what  his  own  love  had  constrained  me  to 
offer. 

With  my  own  utter  worthlessness,  I  con- 
trasted the  exceeding  grace  of  my  heavenly 
King,  and  found,  what  then  I  always  find, 
peace  and  blessing.  And  so  I  prayed,  "  Take 
up,  I  pray  thee,  some  words  I  have  written  for 
thee,   that  thou  hast  blessed.      Bless    them 


54  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

anew  :  for  the  power  is  not  in  my  words,  but 
in  thy  Spirit."  I  had  a  firm  conviction  that 
he  would  fulfill  my  petition,  and  I  lay  back 
upon  my  pillow  and  praised  him  for  what  I 
was  assured  he  would  grant. 

A  heavy  storm  that  had  long  hung  above 
the  hills  came  sweeping  over  my  dwelling. 
The  hoarse  voice  of  the  wind,  as  it  roughly 
bent  the  branches  of  the  old  trees  which 
partly  shadowed  the  window,  left  all  more 
gloomy  than  before ;  but  it  had  no  power  to 
sadden  me.  My  heart  was  resting  on  Him 
whom  winds  and  waves  obey. 

Two  days  afterward  I  received  a  letter  from 
a  dear  friend  in  the  East  of  London,  bringing, 
as  her  letters  ever  do,  a  blessing  with  it.  Un- 
consciously, she  had  been  commissioned  by  the 
Lord  to  bear  to  my  soul  the  message  of  his 
faithfulness  and  tender  care.  The  storm  that 
swept  above  me  was  the  chariot  of  his  power 
who  saith,  "While  they  are  yet  speaking  I 
will  hear." 

On  that  stormy  evening,  in  the  East  of  Lon- 
don, a  prayer-meeting  had  been  appointed  in 


THE  BLESSED  POOH.  55 

a  room  hired  for  various  purposes ;  and  when 
my  friend  reached  it,  the  rain  had  begun  to 
fall.  She  found  that  she  had  arrived  too  early, 
and  that  the  hall  was  still  occupied  by  a  gath- 
ering: of  infidels.  When  she  discovered  the 
nature  of  the  meeting,  she  began  to  retrace 
her  steps,  preferring  the  violence  of  the  ele- 
ments without  to  the  appalling  scene  within. 
But  the  Lord  had  need  of  her.  The  storm 
now  beat  furiously  along  the  street,  and  the 
outer  doorway  presented  no  shelter.  When 
she  would  have  faced  its  fury,  friendly  hands 
drew  her  back  into  the  hall ;  others,  like  her- 
self, were  waiting  for  that  meeting  to  close. 

Most  reluctantly  she  entered,  and  found 
herself  in  the  midst  of  an  assembly  of  sin- 
ners, met  to  prove  God's  grace  a  fable,  and 
the  Word  of  God  a  he  !  Strong  working-men 
were  there,  artizans  of  various  crafts,  men  of 
cold,  hard  countenance,  on  which  care,  and 
thought,  and  sin,  had  left  deep  scars  —  men 
who,  by  scorners  like  themselves,  are  called  in 
the  hackneyed  phi-aseology  of  the  world,  "  ear 
nest  men." 


56  WAYSIDE   SEE-VICE. 

The  fallacious  reasoning  of  man's  deceitful 
heart  strives  to  give  a  glitter  to  the  things  of 
darkness ;  and  thus,  however  glaring  the  error, 
however  pernicious  the  doctrine,  men  shelter 
themselves  and  others  under  a  pretended  rev« 
erence  for  earnestness.  Our  lecture-halls  teem 
with  such  men,  who  are  consciously  and  un- 
consciously treading  under  foot  the  precious 
sacrifice  of  the  Son  of  God.  Satan  is  earnest, 
and  his  subjects  are  in  earnest ;  but  when  they 
stand  before  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth,  the 
plea  that  they  were  verily  in  earnest  will  not 
save  them.  Hell  will  abound  with  earnest 
men. 

My  friend  told  me  that  she  timidly  entered 
the  assembly.  It  was  impossible  to  describe 
her  feelings ;  the  very  atmosphere  seemed 
replete  with  evil.  Lifting  up  her  soul  to  the 
Lord  to  render  her  deaf  to  the  unholy  lan- 
guage, she  made  her  way  to  the  upper  part  of 
the  hall,  where  she  saw  one  solitary  woman 
driven  hke  herself  from  the  doorway  for  shel- 
ter. On  approaching  her,  she  found  her  to 
be  a  Christian  woman  of  whom  she  had  been 


THE   BLESSED   POOR.  57 

in  search,  and  she  sat  herself  beside  her.  The 
power  of  the  prince  of  darkness  was  not  un- 
checked in  this  assembly,  any  more  than  in  my 
lonely  room.  And  Christian  men  who  had 
entered  uplifted  the  banner  in  His  name  who 
came  to  seek  and  to  save. 

Angry  passions  now  swayed  the  infidels,  and 
their  opponents,  like  soldiers  for  a  moment 
bewildered  by  the  roar  of  cannon,  paused. 
There  was  silence.  Had  the  powers  of  evil 
pre-eminence  ? 

The  silence  was  broken  by  a  clear,  manly 
voice  at  the  extreme  end  of  the  hall  break  ij^g 
forth  in  a  cheerful  song  — 

"  Sow  ye  beside  all  waters, 

Where  the  dew  of  heaven  may  fall; 
Ye  shall  reap,  if  ye  be  not  weary, 
For  the  Spirit  breathes  o'er  all. 

"  Sow,  though  the  thorns  may  wound  thee,— 
One  wore  tlio  lliorns  for  thee; 
And  though  the  cold  world  scorn  tliee. 
Patient  and  hopeful  be. 

"  Sow  ye  beside  all  waters. 

With  a  blessing  and  a  prayer; 
Name  Him  wlu^se  hand  upholds  thee, 
And  sow  thou  everywhere." 

Voice  after  voice  took  up  the  strain,  and  told 
how  many  more  of  the  warriors  of  the  cross 


58  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

had  gathered  there  against  the  enemy.     And 
weary  hearts  took  courage. 

My  dear  friend  Imew  how  it  would  cheer 
my  heart  and  gladden  my  silent  hours,  to  know 
that  the  first-fruits  of  my  pen,  laid  on  the  altar 
of  my  God,  should  have  been  made  a  battle- 
song  for  the  faithful  —  at  the  same  time  teach- 
ing my  hands  to  war  and  my  fingers  to  fight, 
and  calling  forth  from  my  own  soul  the  shout 
of  "  Victory !  victory  !  through  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb !  " 

Service  and  ministry  are  so  connected  in  the 
minds  of  many  with  external  form,  that  noth- 
ing appears  to  them  as  ministry,  unless  in 
accredited  detail  and  order.  The  things  of  the 
Spirit  can  only  be  seen  in  the  Spirit ;  and  if 
worship  is  to  be  offered  in  spirit  and  in  truth, 
so  also  must  service  b© ;  and  this  I  began  more 
fully  to  perceive  a  few  days  after  the  incident 
I  have  related. 

On  reading  Tlie  Revival,  I  was  specially 
drawn  to  an  account  of  a  work  in  London. 
The  faithful  servant  of  the  Lord  who  had  writ- 
ten the  report  stated  the  great  need  of  funds 


THE  BLESSED   POOK.  59 

to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  poor,  amongst 
whom  it  was  his  joy  to  preach  the  gospel  of 
Christ.  In  the  impulse  of  my  heart,  I  longed 
to  send  him  gold  without  measure  ;  hut  I  rea- 
soned, that  had  God  willed  I  should  have  gold 
to  give,  he  would  have  given  me  gold ;  and  it 
was  as  easy  for  him  to  give  me  gold  as  silver. 
I  opened  my  purse,  not  to  see  what  I  could 
spare,  but  how  much  was  mine  to  give.  I 
found  that  all  I  could  offer  was  silver,  and  a 
sum  so  small,  that  Satan  suggested  that  it  was 
useless  to  send  half-a-crown. 

Should  I  withhold  it  because  it  was  so  little? 
Nay  !  The  barley  loaves  in  the  hands  of  Jesus 
fed  a  multitude.  From  whom  should  I  with- 
hold it?     From   Mr. ?     From  the  poor? 

Nay  !     From  the  Lord ! 

Every  scruple  vanished.  I  placed  it  before 
him  for  his  blessing,  and  pleaded  for  something 
better  than  gold  to  send  with  it.  A  text  came 
so  full  of  food  and  refreshment  for  myself,  that 
I  hesitated  if  it  could  possibly  be  intended  for 
another ;  but  after  waiting  none  other  came. 
I  wrote  it  as  clearly  as  my  weak  hand  could 


60  WAYSEDE   SERVICE. 

trace   it,  and  inclosed  it  with  the   money  to 

Mr. ;  and   then  I  specially  laid  his  need 

before  the  Lord,  praying  for  pounds,  not  shil- 
lings, this  very  evening  to  be  sent  him,  and  for 
special  blessing  on  the  text.  And  He  to  whom 
belong  the  gold  and  silver,  who  owns  the  cat- 
tle on  a  thousand  hills  and  the  sparrow  on  the 
housetop,  heard  my  prayer.  I  had  an  imme- 
diate consciousness  that  it  was  granted,  and  I 
praised  therefore. 

Could  I  have  written  a  check,  or  have  in- 
closed a  bank-bill,  it  is  possible  that  after  I 
had  done  it,  I  should  have  thought  no  more  of 
the  matter ;  as  it  was,  the  exercise  of  faith 
drew  me  nearer  to  realizing  that  I  had  to  do 
with  a  living  God,  whose  care  is  over  all  his 
works.  My  heart  filled  with  grateful  joy,  for 
I  perceived  a  wider  sphere  of  service  and  min- 
istry than  had  ever  before  met  my  view. 

Three  months  passed  away.  The  circum- 
stances had  faded  from  my  memory.  One 
morning  the  post  brought  me  a  pamphlet ; 
and  as  I  was  much  engaged,  it  lay  for  several 
days  on  my  table  unopened.     To  look  at  it,  I 


THE  BLESSED   POOR.  Gl 

feared,  would  hinder  me  in  my  work.  But  a 
thought  flashed  through  my  mind  that  per- 
haps the  Lord  had  sent,  as  he  often  does,  some 
message  of  love  in  it ;  and  if  so,  that  would 
help,  not  hinder  me.  I  opened  it  prayerfully. 
It  was  the  report  of  the  work  which  had  so 
much  interested  me,  forwarded  by  an  unlaiown 
hand.  I  turned  the  pages,  not  to  certify  if  my 
mite  had  been  received,  for  I  had  not  sent  my 
name,  but  to  know  how  the  work  prospered 
that  had  been  so  blessed  to  myself,  and  for 
which  I  had  pleaded. 

On  turning  the  leaves,  my  eye  caught  a 
text.  This  text,  so  full  of  treasures  to  my 
own  heart,  had  gone,  in  the  power  and  hght 
of  the  Spirit,  and  under  peculiar  circumstances 
of  trial  had  blessed  him  to  whom  I  had  sent  it. 
Furthermore,  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day 
the  Lord  put  into  the  mind  of  one  in  whose 
spiritual  welfare  I  was  concerned  to  send  for 
the  work  the  gold  which  I  lacked  ;  and  there 
followed  other  donations,  which  rejoiced  my 
heart.  And  it  was  clear  that  the  check  had 
been  remitted  that  night,  as  it  reached  London 
the  following  morning. 


62  WAYSIDE   SEKVICE. 

We  are  continually  sowing  in  thought, 
word,  and  work.  "  God  is  not  mocked ;  for 
whatsoever  a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he  also 
reap.  For  he  that  soweth  to  his  flesh  shall  of 
the  flesh  reap  corruption  ;  but  he  that  soweth 
to  the  Spirit  shall  of  the  Spirit  reap  life  ever- 
lasting." 

Lord,  let  me  feel  that  thou  art  ever  nigh  me, 

And  ruling  all  in  love; 
That  no  good  thing  thy  wisdom  will  deny  me. 

Thy  tenderness  to  prove. 

Thy  blessed  voice  the  stormy  wind  obeyeth. 

And  thy  behest  fulfills; 
Thy  word  the  tempest  wild  within  allayeth, 

And  each  foreboding  stills. 

Keep  me  still  close  to  thee,  O  Lord;  thou  knowest 

Thou  art  my  hope  and  rest; 
And  trustful  let  me  tread  the  path  thou  showest, 

Still  leaning  on  thy  breast. 

Thou  hast  been  Home  and  Friend  in  deserts  lonely. 

And  thou  wilt  be  again. 
Oh,  let  me  seek  thy  smile,  my  Jesus  only, 

And  not  the  praise  of  men. 


PRECIOUS   FEUIT.  63 


CHAPTER    IV. 

PEECIOUS  FRUIT. 

Cast  not  away  therefore  yonr  confidence,  which  hath  great  re- 
compense of  reward.  For  ye  have  need  of  patience,  that, 
after  ye  have  done  the  will  of  God,  ye  might  receive  the 
promise.— Heb.  x.  35,  36. 

E  err  presumptuously  in  claiming  a  prom- 
ili^^  ise  when  we  have  neglected  the  precept ; 
but  we  rob  the  Lord  of  praise  and  glory 
in  following  the  precept,  and  disbelieving  the 
promise.  He  has  said,  "  Cast  thy  bread  upon 
the  waters,  and  thou  shalt  find  it  after  many 
days."  Here  the  heart-stirring  command  to 
labor  is  coupled  with  the  promise  of  a  sure 
reward  ;  so  closely  are  they  joined  together 
for  the  believer's  encouragement,  that  they 
can  only  be  severed  by  his  unbelief.  The 
promise  is  often  limited  to  evangelists,  as  the 
"  cheerful  giver  "  is  restricted  to  the  distribu- 
tor to  the  poor.  "  He  that  winneth  souls  is 
wise,"  and  "  he  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor 
lendeth  to  the  Lord ;"  but  nowhere  is  it  set 


64  "WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

forth,  that  to  preach  the  gospel  to  others,  or 
to  distribute  to  the  necessitous,  is  the  end  for 
which  we  have  been  translated  out  of  dark 
ness  into  the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son. 

The  vessels  of  the  sanctuary  must  be  ren- 
dered meet  for  spiritual  service  ;  and  the  per- 
fecting of  them  is  often  wrought  out  by  what 
seems  to  our  short-sighted  vision  as  unsuccess- 
ful labor.  "  Mine  eyes  shall  be  upon  the 
faithful  of  the  land,  that  they  may  dwell  with 
me  ;  he  thatwalketh  in  a  perfect  way,  he  shall 
serve  me."  Ps.  ci.  6.  When  the  Lord,  in 
answer  to  our  prayers  for  grace,  is  cultivating 
our  faith,  patience,  and  meekness,  we  rebel, 
because  we  cannot  behold  with  our  outward 
senses  that  which  we  have  committed  to  him 
in  hope.  The  insult,  that  God  is  not  faithful 
to  his  promise,  is  insinuated  by  the  father  of 
lies,  and  received  into  the  natural  heart  of  un- 
belief. Virtually  we  say,  "  According  to  his 
command  we  have  cast  our  bread  upon  the 
waters,  but  it  is  lost !"  As  if  anything  could 
be  lost  that  faith  had  committed  to  the  eternal 
God.    Where  there  is  a  work  of  faith,  there 


PRECIOUS   FRUIT.  65 

must  be  precious  fruit.  That  over  which  you 
rejoiced,  and  for  which  you  made  many  an  un- 
told sacrifice,  brought  forth  "  nothing  but 
leaves  ; "  and  that  over  which  you  watched 
through  nights  of  weeping,  and  hopelessly  ex- 
claimed, "  It  was  all  in  vain  !  "  may  not  have 
been  "in  vain."  The  bread-corn,  scattered 
in  feebleness,  has  not  been  devoured  by  the 
fowls  of  the  air,  as  you  say  ;  it  has  fallen  into 
the  cleft  of  a  wounded  heart,  too  proud  to 
show  you  it  can  feel.  It  will  germinate  slow- 
ly and  quietly,  where  no  eye  but  God's  will 
watch  it  striving  for  light.  We  ask  to  see  in 
a  week  the  growth  of  a  cedar  or  a  palm  ;  we 
look  for  fruit  in  the  seed-time  ;  and  for  sum- 
mer flowers  when  only  the  spring  winds  are 
rising,  and  water-floods  overflowing.  "  Hope 
in  God."  The  crowning  of  labor  is  not  accor- 
ding to  the  natural  energy  of  the  sower,  but 
according  to  the  wisdom  of  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest.  And  that  harvest  is  sometimes  reaped 
only  in  the  soul  of  the  patient  husbandman  ; 
and  a  fair  and  flourishing  field,  which  the 
sower  will  never  behold  on  earth,  is  claimed 


66  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

in  future  days  by  another  who  enters  into  his 
labors. 

God  works  in  silence.  Nature's  processes, 
by  which  he  teaches  us  of  the  invisible  things 
by  things  which  are  seen,  are  almost  imper- 
ceptible in  their  progress.  Light  is  silent. 
The  seed  germinates,  and  none  can  tell  where 
it  lies.  John  iii.  7,  8.  The  corn  ripens  silent- 
ly ;  spring  steals  over  the  land  silently ;  but 
summer  —  smiling  harbinger  of  precious  fruit ! 
—  tells  at  last  the  patient  laborer  that  he  has 
not  waited  in  vain.  The  narrow  path  runs 
through  a  wide  field.  Little  deeds  of  kind- 
ness, words  of  love,  of  warning,  of  faithful 
rebuke,  and  tender  sympathy,  cast  forth  by  a 
soul  in  union  with  Christ,  are  bread  upon  the 
waters  that  shall  be  found  after  many  days. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  glory  in  infirmities,  when 
we  are  permitted  to  see  that  thus  the  power 
of  Christ  may  rest  upon  us.  I  was  desirous  of 
furnishing  some  large-type  reference  Bibles  to 
some  of  my  poor  friends  in  a  place  I  was  leav- 
ing ;  especially  I  needed  one  for  a  youth  who 
was  recently  converted,  whose   failing  sight 


PKECIOUS   FRUIT.  67 

could  only  discern  the  largest  and  clearest 
print.  I  found  Bibles  of  this  description  more 
expensive  than  I  expected,  and  I  waited  on 
the  Lord  for  the  means  of  procuring  them. 
Day  after  day  passed ;  I  was  much  exercised 
in  regard  to  leaving  the  place  ;  but  this  wait- 
ing-time brought  forth  blessing. 

A  day  had  closed  in  conflict  and  sadness, 
so  that  the  great  adversary  blinded  my  eyes 
to  my  heavenly  portion.  "In  the  world  ye 
shall  have  tribulation;"  "in  me  ye  shall  have 
peace."  The  wily  accuser  did  not  attack  my 
fair  inheritance,  but  set  before  me  my  vileness 
as  a  cliild  of  God — the  grace  I  had  sinned 
against,  the  opportunities  of  usefulness  I  had 
lost,  ending  with  the  Bibles  for  which  I  had 
made  no  exertion,  and  which  it  was  now  need- 
less to  procure,  as  I  must  proceed  on  my  jour- 
ney. Like  Eve,  I  listened  to  the  tempter.  I 
believed  the  lie,  and  was  afraid. 

It  seemed  quite  clear  to  me  that  I  had  never 
loved  the  Lord,  never  served  him  or  witnessed 
for  him  ;  but  after  a  time  came  the  sweet  as- 
surance that  he  loved  me  all  the  same.     Still 


68  "WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

I  dwelt  on  his  love  to  me  and  my  ingratitude 
to  him.  The  conflict  was  longer  than  the  de- 
tail I  have  briefly  given ;  but  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb  slain  was  my  shelter  and  safety  at  last. 
Long  I  wept  over  my  uselessness,  until  he 
gave  me  strength  to  cry  to  him  ;  "  Spare  me 
until  to-morrow,  Lord,  and  if  thy  blessing  has 
never  yet  fallen  on  any  service  for  thee,  life  is 
not  over ;  bless  me  now  ! " 

I  lay  down  and  slept  a  long  deep  sleep,  and 
was  awakened  by  a  registered  letter  being 
brought  to  me,  requiring  my  signature.  The 
handwriting  was  unfamiliar  to  me,  and  the 
letter  bore  no  name.  As  I  read,  my  heart 
burst  forth  in  praise ;  line  after  line  seemed 
written  to  meet  the  need  known  only  to  Him 
whose  tender  care  is  over  all  his  works.  It 
told  me  of  help  and  blessing  received  through 
books  I  had  written  on  this  same  battle-field. 
The  gold  inclosed  I  was  requested  to  use  for 
any  service  of  the  Lord  I  might  at  that  time 
require.  The  remainder  of  the  letter  is  traced 
on  my  heart,  though  unrecorded  here  ;  but  it 
closes  thus,  "  and  for  you,  I  pray  that  you  may 
be  kept  very,  very  humble." 


PKECIOUS   FRUIT.  69 

I  know  not  if  I  shall  look  on  the  face  of  the 
writer  until  we  meet  on  the  morning  without 
clDuds,  when  the  bread  cast  upon  the  waters 
will  be  found  after  many  days. 

The  prayer  of  faith  had  won  for  me  this 
trial ;  and  even  while  the  Holy  Ghost  was  in- 
diting the  prayer,  the  command  had  gone  forth. 
But  "  He  hath  not  despised  nor  abhorred  the 
affliction  of  the  afflicted  ;  neither  hath  he  hid 
his  face  from  him  ;  but  when  he  cried  unto 
him  he  heard."     Psa.  xxii.  24. 

The  sympathy  and  encouragement  to  labor 
again  sent  me  on  my  way  rejoicing.  Thus  the 
hand  of  a  stranger  was  directed  to  supply  the 
Bibles,  the  need  of  which  I  had  been  permit- 
ted to  discover,  and  was  also  used  to  ojjen  to 
me  anew  the  hidden  riches  which  abound  in 
secret  places,  that  I  might  realize  again  the 
faithfulness  of  Him  Avho  had  called  me  by 
name,  —  that  he  was  indeed  my  God,  and  that 
I  was  his  servant. 

"  He  that  observeth  the  wind  shall  not  sow, 
and  he  that  regardeth  the  clouds  shall  not 
reap."     The  ways  and  means  the  Lord  ordains 


70  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

for  the  accomplisliment  of  his  work  differ  with 
the  varieties  of  his  instruments,  and  the  pecu- 
liarities of  their  employments.  To  address 
the  same  question  to  every  one,  to  propound 
the  same  doctrine,  and  set  forth  the  same  ar- 
gument on  every  occasion,  is  simply  a  negli- 
gent systematic  occupation,  which  can  never 
satisfy  a  heart  drawing  its  suppHes  fresh  from 
the  fountain  of  living  water.  One  led  of  the 
Spirit  will  be  counted  a  fool  for  doing  what 
seems  in  opposition  to  received  methods  of 
deaUng  with  certain  sections  of  error;  but 
"hath  not  God  made  foolish  the  wisdom  of 
this  world?" 

An  English  family  resided  for  the  summer 
in  one  of  the  Cathohc  cantons  of  Switzerland. 
The  lady's  maid  was  a  witness  for  her  heavenly 
Master.  She  visited  the  poor  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  with  the  permission  of  her  mistress 
cared  for  their  necessities,  while  distributing 
the  tracts  and  books  which  she  had  herself 
procured.  In  one  of  the  houses  lived  a  single 
woman,  known  as  the  most  bigoted  Romanist 
in  the  village.     The  Englishwoman  could  not 


PRECIOUS   FRUIT.  7l 

approach  her,  until  one  day  she  found  her  very 
ill  in  bed,  with  no  one  to  help  her.  She  then 
did  what  she  could  for  her,  and  from  day  to 
day  brought  her  nourishment  suitable  for  her 
state.  The  sick  woman  received  the  dinners 
and  ridiculed  the  donor,  saying  that  she  did 
not  wish  to  lose  the  good  food,  and  if  she 
brought  any  tracts  or  good  books  she  would 
accept  all,  and  when  she  was  well  again  she 
would  make  a  feu  de  joie  of  them. 

No  tracts  came,  but  the  food  never  failed. 
One  day  the  servant  carried  with  her  one  of 
the  portions  of  Scripture,  now  flying  hke  mes- 
sages of  mercy  through  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  land.  It  was  the  Gospel  of  St.  John. 
The  French  woman  made  no  objection  to  it, 
but  showing  it  to  a  neighbor,  she  laughed  at 
the  simplicity  of  the  giver,  and  put  it  aside  as 
the  first  supply  for  her  feu  de  joie. 

The  woman  grew  worse,  and  was  confined 
entirely  to  her  bed.  The  hours  hung  heavily 
without  any  of  her  ordinary  occupations. 

At  last  in  utter  weariness  she  tui-ned  to  the 
onlv  book  unread.     She  argued  with  herself 


72  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

— "  This  cannot  be  a  bad  book,  though  it 
comes  from  a  Protestant ;  portions  of  it  are  in 
the  mass.  If  some  parts  are  good,  all  may  be 
good.  I  do  not  think  it  wiU  do  me  harm." 
She  began  it,  and  became  intensely  interested 
in  it ;  and  then  when  she  had  reached  the  last 
chapter,  she  re-read  it,  and  greatly  desired 
more. 

No  other  book  was  offered  her,  no  tract 
came,  no  word  was  spoken  to  her  on  the  sub- 
ject of  her  errors,  or  of  the  truth  Avhich  the 
book  containe"d.  At  length  she  asked  for  an- 
other portion,  and  finally  for  the  whole  Testa- 
ment. She  made  no  observation  and  put  no 
questions  to  her  visitor,  but  on  her  blindness 
arose  the  light  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness, 
and  Jesus  could  not  be  hid. 

Then  the  priest  came  and  asked  why  she 
did  not  go  to  mass  now  that  she  was  better. 
She  replied  firmly,  she  could  never  hear  the 
mass  again.  "I  cannot  say,"  she  added,  "that 
I  have  a  new  religion ;  for  I  neither  received 
it  of  man,  neither  was  I  taught  it ;  no  one  has 
ever  spoken  to  me  on  the  subject,  but  I  see 


PKECIOUS  FKUIT.  73 

wliat  I  never  saw  before,  and  I  can  no  longer 
go  to  mass." 

The  priest  applied  to  the  bishop  of  the  dio- 
cese, who  was  then  in  the  neighborhood.  He 
sent  his  vicar,  a  learned  and  influential  con- 
troversialist, to  visit  her.  After  holdinga  a  long 
conversation  with  her,  he  reported  that  it  was 
in  vain  to  seek  to  draw  her  back  to  the  true 
church,  for  to  every  argument  she  replied  only 
in  the  words  of  Scripture. 

The  persecution  raj^ed  against  this  convert- 
ed woman  was  such,  that  had  she  been  with- 
out a  home  no  one  would  have  dared  to  give 
her  shelter  under  his  roof.  By  one  of  those 
blessed  providential  dealings  of  our  heavenly 
Father,  she  had  no  lodging  to  seek.  In  some 
of  the  small  tenements  in  Switzerland  the  pro- 
prietor has  a  right,  in  disposing  of  his  house, 
to  retain  one  room  for  tlie  Ufe  of  one  member 
of  his  family.  This  had  been  the  case  here  ; 
her  father  had  arranged  and  secured  this  room 
for  her,  of  which  no  one  coidd  dispossess  her, 
and  the  peaceful  possession  of  this  quiet  cham- 
ber was  continually  the  subject  of  her  praise 


74  WAYSEDE   SERVICE. 

and  thankfulness.  The  Englishwoman  minis- 
tered to  her  while  she  was  there.  The  eman- 
cipated Romanist  has  never  lacked  —  never 
will,  for  her  hope  is  in  God.  The  bread  upon 
the  waters  is  found. 

"Now  faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped 
for,  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen."  Heb.  xi. 
1.  "Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please 
God."  Faith  must  not  be  confounded  with 
vain  imaginations  of  the  natural  heart,  which 
expects  at  a  certain  season  certain  results.  To 
do  the  will  of  God  is  to  be  assured  of  the 
promise  ;  "  for  yet  a  little  while,  and  he  that 
shall  come  will  come,  and  will  not  tarry." 

Faith  has  its  many  phases,  but  it  is  the  same 
faith.  The  rainbow  has  varied  colors  in  its 
zone,  but  it  is  the  same  light.  Faith  may  look 
upward  rejoicing  ;  she  may  fold  her  hands  in 
patient  waiting  ;  she  may  work,  fearing  noth- 
ing ;  she  may  suffer  silently ;  but  it  is  faith 
still.  Its  object  is  God's  will ;  its  expectation 
is  from  liim. 

When  on  my  way  to  the  coast,  I  was  detain- 
ed for  a  few  days  in  a   strange   town.     One 


PRECIOUS   FRUIT.  75 

blight  autumn  morning  I  sent  for  a  mule-chair, 
praying  the  Lord  to  guide  me  where  I  could 
be  used  for  his  glory,  or  to  grant  me  fellow- 
ship with  some  of  his  people.  As  I  was  quite 
a  stranger  in  the  place,  I  told  the  boy  who 
drove  to  take  me  into  the  country,  leaving  the 
choice  of  the  road  to  him. 

I  strove  to  watch  and  not  miss  any  guidance 
vouchsafed  to  me.  We  passed  the  outskirts  of 
the  town,  and  threaded  the  long  lanes  of  hazel 
and  beech.  I  was  attracted  by  an  old  white- 
washed cottage,  of  which  we  now  see  so  few ; 
its  principal  features  were  its  high  chimneys 
and  its  large  roomy  porch.  The  myrtles  and 
fuchsias  blossomed  in  profusion  around  it,  and 
a  garden  so  rich  in  flowers  and  fragrant  herbs 
I  had  seldom  seen.  I  felt  inclined  to  enter, 
but  the  mule  obstinately  pursued  his  way ;  so 
I  contentedly  dropped  a  little  book  upon  the 
cottage  pathway. 

We  proceeded  for  about  half  a  mile,  when 
the  mule  deliberately  turned  up  to  a  cottage 
door  and  stopped.  I  had  a  book  in  my  hand, 
but  before  I  could  speak  to  the  bright-faced 


76  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

woman  who  came  out  at  the  sound  of  the 
wheels,  she  greeted  me  in  the  most  cordial 
manner,  exclaiming,  "  How  glad  we  are  to 
have  you  again  ! " 

"  I  think  you  mistake  me  for  some  one  you 
know ;  but  I  am  pleased  you  came  out,"  I 
said,  "  as  I  wanted  to  leave  you  a  tract  if  you 
would  like  one." 

But  the  woman,  without  taking  it,  returned 
into  the  house,  exclaiming  joyfully, 

"Master!  It  is  our  dear  lady  come  back 
again ! " 

A  pleasant-looking  man  followed  her,  and  a 
few  minutes  made  us  acquainted  with  each 
other.  We  were  walking  the  same  road  —  to 
our  Father's  house  of  many  mansions.  At  last 
he  said, 

"  My  good  wife  took  you  for  a  lady  who 
used  to  visit  us  long  ago ;  your  voice  is  so  like 
hers,  I  do  not  wonder.  It  is  long  since  we 
saw  her.  Do  come  in  ;  it  will  be  good  for  our 
souls  to  hear  the  news  of  the  kingdom ;  and 
here  are  two  of  our  relations  come  a  long  way 
to  visit  us  for  the  day." 


PEECIOUS   FRX7IT.  77 

I  at  once  entered  the  cottage.  Neither  of 
the  young  women  seated  there  knew  Him  who 
was  the  subject  of  our  conversation,  the  object 
of  our  love ;  but  it  was  most  refreshing  to 
mark  the  interest  with  which  they  listened  to 
"  the  old,  old  story,"  and  received  the  books 
and  tracts.  I  was  loth  to  leave  them.  As  I 
rose  to  depart,  the  kind  old  man  looked  at  his 
wife  and  said, 

"  The   lady  ought   to   see   J.  E ;  how 

pleased  she  would  be." 

"  Oh  yes ! "  chimed  in  the  wife ;  "  but  it  is 
a  long  way  off." 

"  Never  mind  that,"  I  answered.  "  Is  it 
any  one  I  can  help  ?  " 

"  Why,  she  has  a  good  deal  to  bear,  ma'am, 
but  she  is  such  a  Christian.  And  she  would 
like  to  see  you,"  he  added  in  an  inviting  tone. 

I  asked  him  to  describe  the  house.  He 
replied,  "  It  is  a  little  white-washed  cottage  in 
a  garden,  in  the  green  lane  between  this  and 
the  town.  There  is  a  large  porch  to  the  cot- 
tage." 

I  felt  certain  it  was  the    same  wliich   had 


78  "WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

attracted  my  attention,  and  bidding  my  new 
friends  an  affectionate  farewell,  we  turned  the 
mule's  head,  and  did  not  stop  until  we  reached 
the  pretty  rustic  gate  to  which  I  had  been 
directed.  I  waited  in  vain  to  see  any  one ;  so 
I  left  the  chair  and  entered  the  house. 

A  middle-aged  woman  was  busily  occupied 
about  household  work,  and  I  watched  her  for 
a  few  minutes  unobserved.  The  deep  peace 
of  her  face  testified  that  she  was  the  one  I 
sought.  I  spoke  at  once  of  Him  who  leadeth 
the  blind  by  paths  they  know  not.  She  left 
her  work,  and  hastened  to  place  a  chair  for 
me,  and  sat  beside  me.  She  was  not  only 
rejoicing  in  the  forgiveness  of  her  sins ;  she 
had  learned  that  salvation  from  eternal  death 
was  not  the  end  of  Christ's  glorious  sacrifice, 
but  that  he  died  to  bring  the  sinner  into  that 
fellowship  with  God  which  Adam  had  for- 
feited. 

I  told  her  of  my  prayer,  and  how  richly  my 
Father -had  answered  me.  Tears  of  joy  fell 
fast  from  her  eyes  as  I  detailed  to  her  the 
Bource  of  our  unexpected  meeting. 


PRECIOUS    FRUIT.  79 

"  How  long  have  you  known  what  it  is  to 
follow  Jesus  ?  "     I  asked. 

"  It  is  a  fortnight  last  Friday,"  she  replied. 
"  The  Lord  had  taken  me  down  to  the  grave's 
mouth,  and  Avhen  I  had  learned  the  meaning  of 
Luke  xiv.  33,  he  brought  me  up  again.  Only 
that  night  I  had  a  knowledge  of  Christ  him- 
self, and  of  his  power,  and  what  he  means  by 
leaving  '  all '  for  his  sake,  or  else  we  cannot  be 
his  disciples.*'     Luke  xiv.  33. 

Who  teaches  like  him  ?  Truly  our  fellow- 
ship was  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ !  While  I  listened  to  her  I  felt  it 
would  strengthen  my  hand  to  sow  beside  all 
waters ;  while  for  herself  it  had  taught  her 
that  the  Lord  saw  all  her  needs  and  could 
meet  them  ;  and  she  praised  him  for  sending 
me  there,  that  out  of  her  heart,  surcharged 
with  love  and  praise,  she  might  tell  what  great 
things  he  had  done  for  her. 

She  told  me  that  she  had  known  Christ  as 
her  salvation  for  two  years  previously.  A  poor 
Christian  peddler  formerly  made  the  circUit  of 
the  country  in  the  summer  months,  carrying 


80  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

cottons,  laces,  and  such  light  wares  as  the  cot- 
tagers could  not  procure  without  going  to  the 
town.  The  disciple  spoke  to  her  of  her  heav- 
enly Master,  but  though  her  customer  kindly 
received  the  messenger,  she  did  not  heed  the 
message. 

A  seat  in  the  shady  porch  was  always  given 
her,  and  refreshment  often  offered,  while  the 
little  store  of  pence,  scrupulously  set  aside  for 
the  purpose,  was  laid  out  for  some  of  the  con- 
tents of  the  basket. 

It  was  in  the  autumn  when  the  peddler 
made  her  last  visit  to  the  cottage,  to  close  her 
circuit  for  the  year. 

The  heat  of  midday  was  too  much  for  the 
poor  traveler,  who,  languid  and  weary,  rested 
in  the  welcome  porch.  The  purchases  made 
lightened  her  load,  and  she  was  herself  re- 
freshed by  speaking  of  the  faithfulness  of  Him 
who  was  her  Shepherd  in  the  green  pastures, 
and  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary 
land;  then  pointing  her  listener  to  him,  she 
took*  up  her  burden  to  proceed  on  her  way, 
when  her  kind  host  brought  forth  her  store  of 


PRECIOUS   FRUIT.  81 

two  shillings,  which  she  had  gathered  with 
careful  industry  to  help  the  lone  woman  in  the 
winter. 

Deeply  was  the  peddler  moved,  and  she 
knelt  in  that  porch,  so  often  her  sheltering 
rest,  and  prayed  that  when  next  she  entered 
there  she  might  find  that  the  hand  that  had 
been  stretched  out  to  bestow  the  cup  of  cold 
water  had  grasped  the  Redeemer's  robe.  Long 
and  fervent  was  the  prayer  ;  then  taking  up 
her  basket  she  went  on  her  way,  and  left  the 
blessing  behind.  A  few  weeks  afterwards,  and 
she  for  whom  she  had  prayed  believed,  and 
was  saved. 

Spring  came  ;  month  after  month  passed ; 
but  the  peddler  was  seen  no  more.  Vainly  the 
new-born  child  of  faith  watched  for  the  one 
who  had  given  her  spiritual  things  for  tem- 
poral ones  ;  but  she  never  came.  The  bread 
was  cast  upon  the  waters.  The  work  was  the 
Lord's.  The  means,  the  time,  were  his  also. 
It  will  be  found  "  after  many  days." 

As  I  took  my  last  look  of  the  cottage  porch, 
I  thought  how  I  too  was  indebted  to  the  child 


82  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

of  God,  who,  sheltered  there  in  the  sultry 
noontide,  left  a  blessing  even  for  me.  Jesus 
had  been  there.  He  had  said,  "  Thy  sins  be 
forgiven  thee ; "  and  now  he  had  called  the 
believer  by  name,  and  said  unto  her,  "  Follow 
me."     "  Faithful  is  he  that  promised." 

A  friend  who  was  often  discouraged  in  ser- 
vice told  me,  that  in  the  winter  of  1858,  which 
she  passed  in  London,  she  became  interested 
in  a  worldly  old  lady,  infirm  in  body  and  dis- 
contented in  mind,  who  seemed  sinking  into 
the  grave  without  any  one  to  warn  her,  or 
speak  to  her  of  those  eternal  realities  of  which 
she  knew  little  and  for  which  she  cared  less. 

My  friend  was  much  occupied  in  the  week. 
Sunday  was  the  only  day  on  which  she  could 
visit  her.  This  she  constantly  did,  and  the 
exercise  of  faith  and  patience  was  often  verj- 
severe. 

Although  the  lady  did  not  desire  anything 
better  than  her  worldly  friends,  and  the  folly 
with  which  they  amused  her,  yet  she  gladly 
received  her  Sunday  visitor,  as  even  that  was 
better  than  being  alone. 


PRECIOUS   FRTTTT.  83 

The  zGcalous  servant  would  not  give  up  her 
thankless  service,  so  long  as  the  way  was  open 
for  her  to  speak  for  her  Master ;  but  now  she 
herself  must  leave  London,  and  she  confessed 
that  it  was  a  relief  thus  to  be  delivered  from 
anxious  desires  of  seeing  the  result  of  her 
labors. 

The  last  afternoon  when  she  entered  she 
found  a  visitor  had  arrived  before  her.  She 
proposed  in  her  own  mind  to  bid  the  old  lady- 
farewell,"  and  proceed  on  another  errand ;  bu^ 
compassion  for  the  state  of  the  aged  sinner 
overcame  her  reluctance.  Their  next  meeting 
would  be  on  that  day  when  the  truth  she  had 
spoken  would  be  made  manifest ;  and  touched 
with  this  thought,  and  totally  regardless  of  a 
third  person,  she  spoke  long  and  earnestly. 

No  sign  in  the  face  or  voice  of  her  listener 
gave  her  reason  to  hope  that  her  words  had 
made  any  impression  ;  and  they  parted  to  meet 
no  more  on  this  earth. 

At  the  close  of  the  summer  of  18G0,  when 
the  Lord's  work  was  revived,  and  much  bless- 
ing was  falling  on  the  meetings  in  the  north 


84  WAYSroE   SERVICE. 

of  England,  my  friend  was  at  a  large  open-air 
meeting,  and  observed  a  lad}^  near  her  whose 
voice  had  joined  in  the  last  hj-mn  of  praise, 
and  she  noticed  that  now  the  eyes  of  the 
stranger  were  fixed  intently  on  her  face.  She 
strove  to  recall  her  features  —  but  in  vain : 
she  felt  assured  that  she  had  never  seen  her 
before. 

The  lady  accosted  her ;  my  friend  suggested 
that  she  was  mistaken ;  but  the  stranger,  call- 
ing her  by  name,  replied,  "  I  am  not  Hkely  to 
be  mistaken,  or  to  forget  you ;  through  your 
words  I  am  here  to-day  rejoicing  in  God's 
mercy."  It  was  the  visitor  of  the  aged  lady, 
whom  she  had  looked  on  as  an  obstacle  to  her 
last  day's  service.  The  bread  was  cast  upon 
the  waters,  and  though  it  was  aot  seen  in  the 
place  where  the  husbandman  sought  it,  yet  it 
was  found  after  many  days. 

"■  Thou  knowest  not  whether  shall  prosper, 
either  this  or  that,  or  whether  both  shall  be 
ahke  good."  A  testimony  of  life  unto  life,  and 
death  unto  death,  may  come  from  the  same 
hand  ;  we  can  only  offer  the  bread,  we  cannot 


PRECIOUS   FRUIT.  85 

give  the  appetite,  neither  can  "we  bestow  the 
power  of  acceptance.  But  let  not  "  faith  stand 
in  the  wisdom  of  man,  hut  in  the  power  of 
God." 

In  one  of  our  large  towns  in  the  south  of 
Englahd  a  lady  waited  for  an  evening  train. 
In  the  course  of  the  day  she  obtained  with 
some  difficulty  permission  to  enter  the  hospi- 
tal, which  had  a  reputation  for  its  excellent 
arrangements.  It  was  not  the  day  on  which 
it  was  open  to  casual  visitors. 

The  lady  walked  sloAvly  down  the  principal 
ward,  lingering  by  the  beds  to  speak  to  the 
suffering  occupants.  To  each  she  gave  a  little 
book  or  leaflet,  and  many  a  sad  face  brightened 
beneath  her  kindly  ministration  and  cheering 
words. 

In  that  ward  at  midnight  lay  two  souls  side 
by  side  in  strange  contrast.  The  tracts  given 
to  these  two  women  had  found  a  voice  which 
awoke  in  one  a  cry  for  mercy  to  the  Saviour 
of  sinners,  and  in  the  other  aroused  the  bittcir 
sarcasm  of  despair. 

The  Christian  girl,  who  gave  me  the  details, 
occupied  the  adjoining  bed,  and  the  anguish 


86  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

of  a  soul  first  beholding  itself  a  sinner  on  the 
brink  of  eternity  was  terrible  to  witness. 

After  a  night-long  struggle,  one  of  the  dy- 
ing women  accepted  life  from  the  dead,  with- 
out money  and  without  price  ;  while  her 
companion,  awakened  to  rage  at  the  necessity 
of  the  new  birth,  and  the  perfect  righteous- 
ness of  the  perfect  Sacrifice,  died  in  hon-or  and 
dismay. 

Vainly  the  doctors  sought  to  quell  the  mad- 
ness of  despair  and  the  conflict  of  the  spirits 
of  darkness  ;  their  healing  art  could  not  reach 
the  soul,  and  the  midnight  of  death  had  fallen 
on  both  soul  and  body  at  the  eleventh  hour. 

Orders  were  issued  that  if  the  stranger 
returned  she  should  be  denied  admittance. 
Many  an  eye  on  the  visiting  day  looked  for 
her,  and  longed  for  her  to  return.  She  came 
no  more.  The  bread  she  had  cast  upon  the 
waters  was  seen,  and  she  will  find  it  after 
many  days.  "  For  God  is  not  a  man  that  he 
should  lie;  neither  the  son  of  man  that  he 
should  repent.  Hath  he  said,  and  shall  he  not 
do  it?  or  hath  he  spoken,  and  shall  he  not 
make  it  good  ?  " 


PKECIOUS   FKUIT.  87 

Say  not  "  'T  was  all  in  vain," 

The  anguish,  and  the  darkness,  and  the  strife; 
Love  thrown  upon  the  waters  comes  again 

In  quenchless  yearnings  for  a  holy  life. 
Think  how  at  midnight,  ou  thy  w^eary  sight, 

Tlie  stars  shone  forth:    beneath  their  welcome  rays 
Thy  hopes  to  heaven,  like  birds,  first  took  their  flight, 

And  thou  shall  find  them  — "after  many  days." 

Say  not,  "'Twas  all  in  vain," 

The  vigil  and  the  sickness  and  the  tears: 
For  in  that  land  where  there  is  no  more  pain, 

The  grain  is  garnered  from  these  mournful  years. 
The  faded  form  once  sheltered  on  thy  breast, 

No  more  thy  gentle  ministry  repays; 
She  waits  with  Jesus  in  her  sinless  rest, — 

Fear  not  to  find  her — "after  many  days." 

Say  not,  "  'T  was  all  in  vain," 

Thy  tenderness,  thy  meekness;  oh,  not  so! 
A  strength  for  others'  sufferings  tlioQ  shalt  gain, 

As  healing  balms  from  bruised  flowerets  flow. 
Weep  not  the  wealth,  in  fearless  faith  cast  forth 

On  the  dark  billows,  shipwrecked  to  thy  gaze; 
The  bark  was  frail,  tlie  gem  has  still  its  worth, 

And  thou  shalt  find  it  —  "after  many  days." 

Say  not,  "'Twas  all  in  vain," 

The  watching,  and  the  waiting,  and  the  prayer; 
In  pierced  hands  hath  it  unanswered  lain? 

'Twill  grow  in  blessing  as  it  lingers  there. 
'T is  space  where  once  thy  quivering  form  was  cast; 

No  floating  breeze  thy  heart-wrung  cry  betrays; 
Yet  through  the  white-winged  choir  thy  prayer  hath  passed 

And  thou  shalt  find  it  —  "after  many  days." 

Say  not,  "  'T  was  all  in  vain," 

Tliy  patience,  and  thy  pity,  and  thy  word 
In  warning  breathed  'mid  passion's  hurricane, 

(Unheeded  hero,  thy  Lord  that  whisper  heard.) 
The  tender  grief  o'er  strangers'  sorrows  shed, 

The  sacrifice  that  won  no  human  praise: 
In  faith  upon  the  waters  oast  thy  bread. 

For  thou  shalt  find  it — "after  many  days." 


88  "WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 


CHAPTER    V. 

EN-HAKKOEE. 

(THE  WELL  OF  HIM  THAT  CEIED.) 

The  things  which  are  impossible  with  men  are  possible  with 
God.— Luke  xviii.  27. 

f^RAYER  is  the  confession  of  need  and 
weakness,  and  the  acknowledgment  of 
Almighty  power  and  readiness  to  maot 
them. 

The  prayer  of  faith  is  the  simple  request  of 
a  trustful  child  to  a  father  who  possesses  the 
means  as  well  as  the  desire  to  grant  it ;  of  an 
intelligent  child,  who  confides  in  the  wisdom 
of  a  parent  in  the  bestowal  of  the  gift ;  of  a 
loving  child,  who  knows  that  nothing  will  be 
refused  him  which  is  really  for  his  good,  be- 
lieving in  the  love  of  Him  to  whom  his  wants 
and  griefs  and  joy  are  a  matter  of  symj)atby 
and  tender  consideration. 

We  have  a  vivid  sense  of  our  need,  but  if 
we  sought  an  habitual  assurance  of  the  love  of 


EN-HAKKORE.  89 

God,  we  should  more  confidingly  spread  our 
daily  perplexities  before  him,  instead  of  seek- 
ing to  remedy  them  for  ourselves  in  the  world- 
wide paths  of  expediency,  (Gen.  xxvi.  7) ;  as 
if  He  who  had  called  us  to  follow  him  was  not 
powerful  enough  to  protect  and  deliver  us 
without  our  seeking  for  help  of  the  princes  of 
this  world.     Ezra  viii.  22. 

The  Lord  promises,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient 
for  thee."  Shall  we  not  trust  in  the  word  of 
the  hving  God,  and  believe  that  this  "  grace  " 
includes  all  possible  contingencies  ?  No  trou- 
ble that  hath  come  upon  us  seems  little  to  him. 
Neh.  ix.  32.  "  For  we  have  not  an  High  Priest 
which  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of 

our  infirmities Let  us  therefore  come 

boldly  unto  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may 
obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time 
of  need."     Heb.  iv.  15,  16. 

Did  we  more  deeply  feel  our  own  insuffi- 
ciency there  would  be  an  increased  dependence 
upon  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  for  prom- 
ise and  precept  are  ever  linked  for  our  encour- 
agement.    "  If  ye  abide  in  me,  and  my  words 


90  WAYSIDE   SEEVICE. 

abide  in  you,  ye  shall  ask  what  ye  will,  and  it 
shall  be  done  unto  you."  "  For  we  know  not 
what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought ;  but  the 
Spirit  maketh  intercession  for  us  according  to 
the  wiU  of  God." 

We  hear  repeated  murmurs  and  queries  as 
to  unanswered  prayer,  but  seldom  if  ever  cou- 
pled with  confession  of  unfaithfulness  to  the 
precept  enjoined. 

Speaking  of  the  efficacy  of  prayer,  one  asks, 

"  Is  not  submission  to  God  in  all  the  events 
of  life  the  highest  form  of  prayer  ?  " 

It  is  not  prayer  in  any  wise  ;  neither  have  I 
yet  heard  of  a  soul  in  perfect  submission  to 
God  in  all  the  events  of  life. 

"  Is  it  not  communion  with  God,  and  a  state 
of  resignation  of  our  will  to  his,  without  asking 
for  any  definite  object,  but  leaving  it  to  his 
love  and  wisdom  to  order  events  for  us  ?  " 

Why,  then,  was  not  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
our  perfect  pattern  in  that  state,  "  who  in  the 
days  of  his  flesh,  when  he  had  offered  up 
prayers  and  supplications,  with  strong  crying 
and  tears,  unto  him  that  was  able  to  save  him 


EN-HAKKOKE.  91 

from  death,  and  was  heard  in  that  he  feared  ?  " 
Heb.  V.  7.  And  when  "  he  lifted  up  his 
eyes,  and  said,  Father,  I  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  heard  me  ;  and  I  know  that  thou  hcarest 
me  always."  And  again,  "I  will  pray  the 
Father,  and  he  shall  give  you  another  Com- 
forter, that  he  may  abide  with  you  for  ever." 
And  lastly,  "  Sit  ye  here  while  I  shall  pray. 
....  Abba,  Father,  all  things  are  possible  to 
thee  ;  take  away  this  cup  from  me  ;  neverthe- 
less, not  what  I  will,  but  what  thou  wilt? " 

This  is  the  highest  form  of  prayer.  The 
prophets  and  saints  of  old  had  the  same  plea 
for  the  acceptance  of  their  petitions  as  we  have 
—  the  faithfulness  of  God.  The  new  cove- 
nant is  sealed  with  the  blood  of  the  spotless 
Son  of  God.  Is  he  less  faithful  now  than  he 
was  of  old  ?  Ileb.  viii.  6  ;  vii.  22.  "  Pray 
that  ye  enter  not  into  temptation." 

Abraham  believed  God,  and  it  was  counted 
unto  him  for  righteousness,  but  he  put  his 
own  energy  to  the  accomplishment  of  the 
promise,  and  wrought  sorrow  to  himself,  the 
purpose  of  God  still   standing   sure.      After- 


92  WAYSIDE   SEKVICE. 

wards  Abraham  could  say,  "  The  Lord,  hefore 
whom  I  walk,  will  send  his  angel  with  thee, 
and  prosper  thy  way ; "  while  Eliezer,  compre- 
hending that  the  path  of  obedience  was  the 
place  of  blessing,  looked  for  the  fulfillment  of 
his  commission ;  "  /  being  in  the  way,  the  Lord 
led  me." 

When  we  are  out  of  the  way^  we  lose  light 
upon  our  footsteps,  and  miss  the  minute  indi- 
cations of  the  will  of  the  Lord  by  which  he 
manifests  liimself  to  his  watchful  followers, 
(John  xiv.  21);  and  these  may  be  observed,  not 
only  in  the  sunlight  of  the  mountain,  but  in 
the 'path  on  the  dark  waters  in  which  he  has 
promised  his  presence. 

The  heart,  tuned  to  praise  by  recognition  of 
the  gracious  hand  that  upholds  and  directs  it, 
is  always  prepared  for  prayer  ;  and  declension 
in  the  spiritual  life  will  as  often  arise  from 
disregard  of  thanksgiving  as  in  negligence  of 
the  precept,  "Pray  without  ceasing."  Do 
not,  therefore,  leave  his  feet  because  your 
heart  is  cold,  —  because  your  thoughts  are 
wandering,  —  because   you  are  disinclined  to 


EN-HAKKOEE.  93 

Bpeak  to  him  who  loves  to  hear  your  voice. 
The  promise  is,  "  They  that  tvait  upon  the 
Lord  shall  renew  their  strength."  Isa.  xl.  31. 
There  is  no  promise  for  waiting  for  a  inore 
convenient  season,  for  joyous  emotions,  or  for 
certain  devotional  sensations.  If  Satan  ob- 
struct your  path,  fear  not !  ISIake  mention  of 
the  name  of  that  great  Conqueror  Avho  says 
for  you,  "All  things  are  yours,  and  ye  are 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's." 

Do  not  say,  "  I  am  unfit  to  pray."  Your 
only  fitness  is  your  need  of  Christ's  help.  Only 
believe,  and  thou  shalt  see  the  glory  of  God. 
Think  not,  because  your  cry  is  not  ansAvered 
in  the  time  and  way  you  have  desired,  that  the 
Lord  has  not  heard. 

Say  not,  "He  answered  nothing."    Thou  didst  pray, 
"Give  mc  tht/sfl/.' "    and  lo!  lie  talccs  away 
Thine  idol  from  thy  fond  arms'  fevered  fold; 
His  garment's  hem  thy  failing  Angers  hold. 
Hush!  in  that  solemn  silence  he  hath  heard 
Thy  sobs  of  anguish  and  each  faltering  word; 
Go,  plead  again,  and  yet  again ;  thy  need 
Is  wliat  thy  Saviour  mctcth;  therefore  plead. 
What!  still  ho  answereth  nothing!    Xay;  beneath 
That  silence  rolls,  "O  woman,  great  thy  faith!' 

"  Ehas  was  a  man  subject  to  like  passions 
as  we  are,  and  he  prayed  earnestly  that   it 


94  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

might  not  rain  ;  and  it  rained  not  on  the  earth 
by  the  space  of  three  years  and  six  months. 
And  he  prayed  again,  and  the  heaven  gave 
rain,  and  the  earth  brought  forth  her  fruit." 
James  v.  17,  18.  But  when  Elias  prays, 
"  Take  away  my  life,  for  I  am  not  better  than 
my  fathers,"  his  prayer  was  unanswered.  The 
set  time  was  not  fully  come.  The  work  given 
him  to  do  was  not  done;  his  course  was  not 
finished.  He  had  yet  to  anoint  Hazael  and 
Jehu  kings  over  Syria  and  Israel,  swords  of 
judgment  for  the  nations.  He  had  to  call 
Elisha  from  the  plough,  and  anoint  him  prophet 
in  his  room,  and  pronounce  the  sentence  of 
the  Lord  against  the  revengeful  king,  and  the 
woman  whose  vain  threat  had  driven  the  true- 
hearted  servant  into  the  wilderness. 

The  man  so  ready  to  resign  his  life  as  value- 
less was  still  to  live,  to  prove  the  power  com- 
mitted to  him,  and  to  command  fire  from 
heaven  to  consume  the  hundred  soldiers  and 
their  captains,  —  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth 
thus  manifesting  to  him  how  easily  he  could 
have  protected  him  from  the  vengeance  of  an 
infuriated  enemy. 


EN-HAKKORE.  95 

Courage  !  trembling  followers  of  the  Lamb. 
They  that  be  with  us  are  more  than  they  that 
be  with  them.  He  who  delivered  us  from  the 
bear  and  the  lion,  unseen  of  men,  is  with  us 
in  the  single-handed  combat  with  the  sling 
and  the  stone  in  the  face  of  the  multitude. 
Forget  not  his  works  and  his  wonders.  It  is 
the  same  God  who  sustained  you  in  the  year 
of  drought,  who  led  you  triumphantly  through 
the  dangers  plotted  against  you ;  and  though 
you  may  fail  to  apprehend  him  in  the  earth- 
quake, yet  in  the  silence  and  solitude  of  the 
soul  that  listens  for  him  the  still  small  voice 
shall  be  heard.  The  experience  of  many  a 
wilderness  journey  is  but  the  preparation  for 
the  chariot  of  fire. 

The  mystical  union  of  Christ  and  the  be- 
liever has  heights  and  depths  that  pass  man's 
understanding ;  and  those  to  whom  the  secret 
of  the  Lord  is  known  have  learned  deep  les- 
sons of  his  power  and  their  own  insufficiency, 
beneath  the  shadow  of  the  juniper. 

The  Master  whom  Elias  served  had  better 
things  in  store  for  him.     Was  it  in  that  desert 


96  WAYSIDE   SEEVICE. 

solitude,  with  no  eye  to  behold  his  wondrous 
translation,  that  the  Lord  had  appointed  to 
call  away  liis  faithful  and  hitherto  unflinching 
witness  ?  Thus  the  cry  of  natui-e  is  refused  or 
delayed  for  better  things. 

Jesus  said,  "  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  m  my 
name,  that  will  I  do,  that  the  Father  may  be 
glorified  in  the  Son."  The  Father  would  not 
be  glorified  by  the  acceptance  of  many  of  the 
natural  heart's  desires.  His  chosen  people 
desired  quails,  and  quails  were  given  them  ; 
the  answer  resulted  in  judgment.  The  persis- 
tent prayer  from  an  unsanctified  will  brings 
its  certain  chastening. 

I  knew  a  lady  who  had  an  only  son  —  a 
lovely  and  intelligent  boy.  He  was  the  idol 
of  her  life.  Sickness  seized  him ;  and  one 
evening  the  physicians  broke  to  the  agonized 
mother,  that  in  the  night  the  child  must  die ! 

In  the  bitterness  of  her  grief  she  persisted 
that  he  should  not  die,  and  throwing  herself 
on  her  face  declared  before  God  that  she  woidd 
never  rise  until  his  life  should  be  granted  to 
her. 


EN-HAKKORE.  91 

The  hours  of  night  passed  heavily  on.  In 
tlie  morning  the  child  still  lived,  and  the  crisis 
was  declared  to  have  passed.  He  recovered. 
His  brilliant  abilities  won  for  him  earthly- 
honors  at  school  and  college.  He  was  the 
pride  of  liis  mother's  heart.  Then  without 
any  apparent  cause  the  powers  of  his  mind 
utterly  failed  ;  nor  did  it  end  there.  When  I 
knew  her  his  abode  was  in  one  of  those  mourn- 
ful habitations  of  restraint  that  preach  so 
loudly  to  the  proud  of  heart  and  those  of 
boasted  intellect.  His  mother,  then  an  aged 
woman,  had  never  received  from  him  one  ex- 
pression of  recognition,  when  allowed  at  cer- 
tain seasons  to  visit  him,  and  she  herself  was 
slow  to  acknowledge  the  answer  to  her  un- 
sanctified  prayer. 

"  The  prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick." 

Nay,  this  was  not  the  prayer  of  faith,  but  of 
the  natural  heart's  rebellion. 

Who  is  there,  knowing  the  power  of  the 
Lord  to  forgive  sins,  and  who  is  rejoicing  in 
sins  forgiven,  that  has  not  longed  for  his  visi- 
ble presence  by  the  bed  of  suffering,  where 


08  "WAYSIDE   SERVICE 

some  cherished  one  lies  at  the  point  of  death  ? 
Such  will  have  followed  in  tenderest  sympathy 
the  steps  of  Jesus  when  the  ruler  fell  at  his 
feet,  "  and  besought  him  that  he  would  come 
into  his  house  ;  for  he  had  one  only  daughter, 
about  twelve  years  of  age,  and  she  lay  a  dy- 
ing." 

Watch  for  him  still.  It  is  the  same  Jesus, 
whose  tender  heart  is  not  less  tender  since  he 
laid  down  his  Hfe  for  you.  In  him  is  wisdom 
for  5''0ur  way,  and  solace  for  your  sorrow. 

The  heart  oppressed  by  its  burden  of  woe 
cannot  realize  that  it  prays  at  all. 

"  Lord,  he  whom  thou  lovest  is  sick,"  was 
the  prayer  of  faith,  and  expressed  the  great 
need  of  the  presence  of  him  whose  power  and 
love  were  acknowledged  in  it.  Jesus  knew 
that  Lazarus  was  sick,  and  yet  he  tarried. 

We  are  too  eager  to  escape  the  cloud  in 
which  we  afterward  find  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
is  enshrouded.  Martha  and  Mary  would  fain 
have  saved  Lazarus  from  death.  "  Lord,  if 
thou  hadst  been  here  my  brother  had  not  died," 
sounds   upbraidingly  to   that   Bizessed   One 


EN-HAKKORE.  99 

who  came  to  do  more  than  they  could  ask  or 
think.  They  thought  the  personal  presence 
of  the  Lord  would  have  saved  them  from  this 
trial.  He  came  to  open  to  them  deeper  truths, 
and  the  power  of  the  Lord  of  life  was  thus 
discovered  in  the  triumph  of  resurrection. 

Had  the  sisters'  first  anxious  cry  been  an- 
swered, and  the  sick  one  whom  Jesus  loved 
been  healed  at  once,  what  a  glorious  manifes- 
tation of  the  divine  purpose  would  have  been 
withheld  !  Nor  were  the  precious  revelations 
confined  to  the  family  of  Bethany,  for  with  the 
trial  of  their  faith  room  must  be  made  for  the 
display  of  the  glory  of  God. 

When  the  Jews  followed  Mary,  they  thought 
that  she  was  going  to  the  grave  to  weep, — 
and  they  found  themselves  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus. 

Who,  that  has  received  a  beloved  one  again 
from  the  borders  of  the  unseen  world,  knows 
not  the  hallowing  influence  of  such  a  restora- 
tion ?  In  answer  to  the  prayer,  that  seemed 
no  prayer  to  the  sinking  heart  that  breathed 
it,  the  Good  Physician  has  been  in  the  house 


100  "WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

when  we  tliought  liim  unmindful  of  our  afflic- 
tion. He  lias  whispered,  "This  sickness  is  not 
unto  death,"  and  we  scarce  believed  him  ;  yet 
he  has  stood  by  and  rebuked  the  fever,  and  he 
has  restored  our  fading^  treasure  to  the  arms 
of  our  little  faith.  His  hand,  his  pierced 
hand,  has  been  upon  what  we  best  loved ;  and 
that  must  render  it  twice  the  gift  of  God. 
Never  more  can  we  regard  it  as.  our  own,  as 
once  we  did;  it  lives  before  us  a  witness  of 
Eternal  Truth,  sealed  with  the  faithfulness  of 
God. 

And  you  who  watch  and  weep  to-day,  temp- 
ted to  think  that  had  the  Lord  been  here  your 
loved  one  had  not  died,  —  "only  believe." 
He  knows  your  sorrows,  and  in  Him  who  wept 
at  Bethany  behold  the  hviug  God !  Jesus 
never  comes  too  late. 

Some  who  know  him  not  will  gather  round 
you  in  tender  sympathy;  they  cannot 'reach 
beyond  the  freshlj'-closed  grave  ;  but  there 
may  follow  one  who  can,  and  find  him  who  is 
the  resurrection  and  the  life. 

The  long  and  weary  sickness  that  baffles  aU 


EN-HAKKORB.  101 

human  skill  and  care  is  often  the  perfecting  of 
faith,  and  hope,  and  patience.  Fruit  is  fairer 
in  the  valley-land  than  on  the  hill-top.  The 
constant  prayer  for  his  presence  who  can  alone 
sustain  leaves  a  track  on  the  dark  waters,  — 
unseen  by  others,  but  declaring  to  us  the  glory 
of  God. 

"  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God." 

Lord  !   look  npon  my  loved  one  and  on  lliine, 

For  tlioii  art  full  of  mercy.    On  a  way 
Begirt  with  deepening  shadows,  let  there  shine 

The  light  of  tliy  dear  smile.    Lo  !  day  by  day, 
With  sinking  heart  and  eager  gaze,  1  seek 

Some  fuller  accent,  or  some  answering  smile, 
Some  beam  of  health  on  lip,  or  brow,  or  cheek, 

My  anxious,  weary  watching  to  beguile. 
Not  thus,  O  Lord,  canst  thou  the  blessing  shed; 

Give  me  submission  to  thy  sovereign  will; 
Behold  my  empty  hands  to  thee  outspread, 

I  know  that  thou  art  God  :    I  will  be  still. 

Sad  hearts  !  Trust  your  treasures  to  your 
omnipotent  Friend.  A  httle  while,  only  a  lit- 
tle while,  and  they  that  sleep  in  Jesus  sliall 
come  with  him  to  die  no  more ;  death  shaU 
have  no  more  dominion  over  them.  And  some 
in  yon  bright  cloud  of  glory  may  jjoint  to 
where  you  prayed,  ere  your  sick  one  was  rais- 
ed again,  —  where  Jesus  stood   unseen,  —  as 


102  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

the  spot  where  they  looked  for  the  first  time 
from  earth  to  heaven,  and  heard  the  voice  of 
the  living  God. 

We  pray.  We  say  that  God  is  the  hearer 
and  answerer  of  prayer ;  but  if  the  answer 
does  not  immediately  return  in  the  way  our 
short-sighted  wisdom  has  pre-determined,  we 
faint,  and  either  listen  to  the  suggestion  of  the 
Evil  One,  that  the  Lord  does  not  hear  such 
prayers,  or  to  our  own  heart's  deceitful  sur- 
mises, that  he  will  not  heed  this  matter.  He 
says,  "  My  thoughts  are  not  your  thoughts." 
Isaiah  Iv.  8. 

Many  events  have  often  to  transpire  before 
prayer  can  be  granted  ;  many  hopes  must  die 
away,  the  energy  of  the  flesh  wither.  Cir- 
cumstances are  weaving  a  chain  out  of  what 
seems  to  us  a  raveled  yarn  ;  yet  gradually 
and  in  perfect  order  shall  be  developed  the 
gracious  design  of  the  Most  High  to  his  wait- 
ing servant ;  for  none  ever  sought  him  in 
vain. 

In  some  cases  the  time  is  nearly  fulfilled  for 
the  pui-pose,  before  the  Holy  Spirit  indites 


EN-HAKKURE.  103 

the  prayer.  Tims  hope  in  God  is  encouraged, 
and  the  breath  of  earnest  supphcation  wafts 
the  longed-for  vessel  swiftly  into  the  desired 
hav3n. 

In  some  soul  for  whom  we  seem  to  be  inter- 
ceding in  vain  the  seed  has  only  germinated, 
and  we  expect  to  behold  ripened  grain. 
"  Blessed  are  ye  who  have  not  seen,  and  yet 
have  believed."  A  Father's  eye  of  love  is  on 
his  petitioner ;  he  is  cultivating  faith  and  pa- 
tience in  the  restless  heart  wliile  granting  its 
request. 

We  pray  for  a  child,  that  he  may  live  to  the 
glory  of  the  Lord  we  love.  The  Lord  gath- 
ers it,  and  we  say,  "  He  did  not  hear."  Nay, 
he  has  heard  and  answered.  The  little  one 
has  outstripped  us  in  the  race,  and  has  left 
behind  a  hallowed  record.  The  lisping  words 
of  truth  the  Holy  Comforter  taught  him  are 
fondly  treasured,  and  the  child  of  many  pray- 
ers has  brought  forth  fi'uit  to  everlcisting  life. 

Thus  weeping  eyes  look  upward,  and  see 
Jesus;  and  girding  up  their  garments  anew 
toil  after  the  little  messenger  of  love,  whom 


104  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

the  Good  Shepherd  allowed  to  sojourn  in  their 
midst.  The  prayer  is  answered  ;  the  cliild  has 
lived  to  the  glorj'  of  God  ! 

You  pray  for  some  grace  ;  you  are  answered 
by  a  temptation  for  which  this  grace  is  pecu- 
liarly needed.  Is  not  this  a  swift  answer  ^to 
prayer  ?  —  that  you  ma}^  learn  at  once  the 
hopelessness  of  self-effort,  and  cast  yourself 
on  him  who  says,  "  Call  upon  me  and  I  will 
answer  thee,  and  show  thee  great  and  mighty 
things  that  thou  knowest  not." 

You  desire  some  gift.  Are  you  fitted  for 
it  ?  Were  the  Israelites  prepared  to  enter  the 
promised  land  as  soon  as  they  had  passed  the 
Red  Sea  ?  The  spiritual  blessing  may  seem 
near,  almost  realized,  and  then  by  some  strange 
winding  of  our  course  be  farther  off  than  ever. 
Discouraged,  we  cry,  "  Hath  God  forgotten 
to  be  gracious  ?  hath  he  in  anger  shut  up  his 
tender  mercies  ?  "  Nay,  "  If  thou  criest  after 
knowledge,  and  liftest  up  thy  voice  for  under- 
standing ;  if  thou  seekest  her  as  silver,  and 
searchest  for  her  as  for  hid  treasures  ;  then 
shalt  thou  understand  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 


EN-HAKKOKE.  105 

and  find  the  knowledge  of  God."  Pro  v.  ii. 
3-5.  Such  gifts  are  not  received  in  some  sud- 
den effusion  of  the  Spirit,  but  by  means  which 
often  make  ns  think  our  failures  are  greater, 
as  morning  light  will  disclose  much  that  twi- 
light conceals. 

Be  of  good  courage  !  God  will  have  regard 
to  the  work  of  his  own  hands.  With  joy  he 
hears  you  plead.  If  the  natural  prayer  is  often 
denied  for  blessing,  the  prayer  for  grace  is  for 
God's  glory ;  it  is  indited  by  the  Holy  Spirit ; 
it  must  be  answered;  it  is  the  will  of  God. 
Though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it.     1  John  v.  14. 

In  my  early  spiritual  life  I  had  a  deep  sense 
of  the  essential  requisite  of  assurance  of  salva- 
tion. In  vain  I  pondered  on  the  Scriptures, 
"  He  that  believeth  on  me  hath  everlasting 
life."  "  He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life  ;  and 
he  that  hath  not  the  Son  of  God  hath  not  life. 
These  things  have  I  written  unto  you  that 
believe  on  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  that 
ye  may  kno^v  that  ye  have  eternal  life,  and  that 
ye  may  believe  on  the  name  of  the  Son  of 
God."     1  John  v.  12,  13. 


106  WAYSEDE   SEEVICE. 

These  words  might  bring  conviction  to  othei 
hearts ;  they  brought  none  to  mine,  because  I 
had  not  reahzed  that  this  gift  came  by  grace 
from  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  not  from  any  intel- 
lectual assent  of  the  human  understanding  to 
a  truth  of  God. 

The  absolute  necessity  of  knowing  my  posi- 
tion as  a  child  of  God,  if  I  were  one  ;  of  laying 
claim  to  all  the  promises  laid  up  for  me ;  and 
of  taking  advantage  of  the  unsearchable  riches, 
which  I  sometimes  thought  might  be  mine  ; 
this  seemed  beyond  all  idea  of  service,  —  and 
as  for  testimony,  there  could  be  none  with- 
out it. 

It  may  be  asked.  Did  I  disbelieve  Scripture? 
I  thought  I  did  not,  but  it  was  a  virtual  de- 
nial;  for  "he  that  believeth  not  God  hath 
made  him  a  liar  ;  because  he  beheveth  not  the 
record  that  God  gave  of  his  Son.  And  this  is 
the  record.,  that  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal 
life,  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son."  1  John  v. 
10,  11. 

I  was  waiting  at  a  dentist's  in  great  pain 
and  apprehension   before  the  extraction  of  a 


EN-HAKKORE.  107 

tooth.  I  did  not  pray  for  any  mitigation  of 
the  suffering;  it  seemed  as  though  the  pain 
would  be  nothing  if  I  only  possessed  an  abid- 
ing assurance  of  salvation.  If  peace  and  joy 
filled  my  heart  in  contemplating  the  covenant 
of  grace,  I  wondered  if  I  had  a  right  to  be  joy- 
ful ;  and  if  depressed,  and  unable  to  enter  into 
the  joy  of  the  Lord,  Satan  set  it  forth  as  a 
convincing  fact  that  I  had  no  portion  in  my 
Father's  house. 

I  prayed  for  other  things.  I  obtained  an- 
swers, but  never  until  this  day  had  I  seen  that 
this  gift  which  was  lacking  in  me,  and  the 
most  essential  testimony  to  the  love  of  God 
towards  me,  could  not  be  obtained  by  any  self- 
effort  ;  yet  it  ivas  for  me.  The  Holy  Ghost 
was  promised  in  these  "good  gifts"  to  them 
that  ask  for  them. 

I  felt  that-the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  only,  could 
end  the  strife,  and  why  I  had  never  seen  this 
until  then  I  knew  not. 

The  room  was  crowded  with  people  ;  it  liin- 
dered  me  not,  I  was  as  much  alone  as  if  in  my 
closet.    All  my  thoughts  were  centered  on  the 


108  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

desire  to  liave  this  momentous   question  de- 
cided once  and  for  ever. 

I  sought  for  a  Bible  among  the  books 
around,  but  no  Bible  was  there.  The  first 
moment  my  disappointment  was  great,  believ- 
ing that  God's  own  Word,  received  in  faith  by 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  would  resolve 
all  my  doubts. 

My  cry  had  ascended  into  the  ears  of  the 
Lord  of  Sabaoth,  and  I  felt  obstacles  to  me 
were  no  hindrance  to  him  ;  and  my  prayer  was 
"  Speak,  ZortZ  /  It  matters  not  to  thee,  thou 
canst  speak  through  any  book,  or  without  a 
book ;  only  tell  me  that  Jam  thine." 

I  laid  my  hand  upon  a  volume  near  me.  I 
remember  it  was  "  Travels  in  the  East."  I 
opened  it,  and  in  italics  I  read,  "  Fear  not,  for 
I  have  redeemed  thee  ;  I  have  called  thee  by 
thy  name  ;  thou  art  mine.  When'  thou  pass- 
est  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee : 
and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  over- 
flow thee  ;  when  thou  walkest  through  the 
fire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burned ;  neither  shall 
the  flame  kindle  upon  thee.      For  I  am  the 


EN-HAKKORE.  109 

Lord  thy  God,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  thy 
Saviour."     Isaiah  xliii.  1-3. 

That  moment  the  witness  of  the  Spirit  was 
sealed  on  my  soul.  I  only  paused  in  my  praise 
to  pray  that  it  might  never  be  withdrawn.  By 
grace  we  are  saved  ;  by  grace  also  are  we  up- 
held. God  is  faithful,  though  I  am  unfaitliful. 
In  spite  of  the  attacks  of  Satan,  in  spite  of  my 
own  waywardness  and  disobedience,  this  gra- 
cious token  of  prayer  heard  and  answered  has 
never  been  taken  from  me ;  and  the  remem- 
brance of  that  hour  remains  Avith  me  a  fruitful 
source  of  praise.  I  gladly  received  him,  for  I 
was  waiting  for  him.     Luke  viii.  40. 

"  Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is 
from  above,"  therefore  given  and  received  by 
the  Holy  Spirit's  power. 

Our  lack  of  faith  in  not  believing  that  our 
prayer  has  availed,  or  can  avail,  to  bring  the 
blessing  we  need,  is  often  the  obstacle  to  our 
thanksgiving.  "  He  that  cometli  to  God 
must  beUeve  that  he  is,  and  that  he  is  a  re- 
warder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him." 
Heb.  xi.  G. 


110  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

We  act  as  if  our  prayer  for  grace  would  be 
gi'anted  by  some  pleasurable  and  joyous  emo- 
tions ;  instead  of  wliich  it  is  not  unfrequently 
answered  by  some  new  view  of  our  corrup- 
tion, or  some  circumstances  calling  more  loud- 
ly for  our  need  of  this  grace.  Though  it 
come  not  in  the  form  you  expect,  yet  it  will 
come. 

The  prayer  for  unconverted  relatives  is  per- 
haps the  one  nearest  to  this  in  the  heart  of  the 
believer.  And  the  little  subjection  of  the 
natural  will  often  renders  this  ser\dce  one  of 
peculiar  trial  and  temptation.  We  decide  on 
some  means  wliich  we  pre-suppose  shall  be 
effectual  to  bring  before  the  sinner  his  true 
state :  —  the  sermon  of  some  eloquent  preach- 
er ;  the  convincing  arguments  in  a  tract  or 
book ;  the  visit  of  some  successful  missionary ; 
our  own  unpalatable  counsel  and  disregarded 
warnings.     All  fail. 

Are  you  seeking  for  souls  among  your  own 
kinsfolk  and  acquaintance  ?  Remember  you 
tread  in  the  path  of  the  Master.  But  unlike 
him  you  have  to  recall  the  days  when  youi 


EN-HAKKORE.  Ill 

own  pride  might  have  revolted  against  the 
exhortations  of  those  who  longed  and  prayed 
to  see  you  partaker  of  their  blessed  portion. 
No  missionary  on  the  wide  field  of  the  heath- 
en hath  greater  need  of  the  abiding  power  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  But  there  is  One  who  will 
not  be  forgetful  of  your  labor  of  love. 

Be  patient,  but  not  supine.  You  are  living 
together,  the  saved  with  the  unsaved.  There 
may  not  be  any  very  material  difference  visi- 
ble to  the  natural  eyes ;  for  nature  has  many 
pleasant  fruits,  though  they  will  be  burned  up. 
You  share  in  common  the  sunshine  and  the 
rain,  for  he  sendeth  these  blessings  upon  the 
"just  and  the  unjust ; "  but  you  are  separated, 
as  light  from  darkness.  The  blood  is  upon 
one.  The  angel  of  destruction  can  touch  him 
not.     He  is  "  shut  in." 

He  who  is  in  darkness  without  cannot  judge 
of  the  light  within  :  therefore  you  will  be  un- 
comprehended  and  misjudged,  —  for  a  blind 
man  cannot  tell  the  value  of  a  precious  stone  ; 
it  needs  a  lapidary  to  pronounce  upon  its 
worth  and  weight. 


112  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

"  Be  strong  and  very  courageous  ; "  and  this 
can  only  be  as  you  live  in  the  Spirit.  Wateli 
unto  prayer.  Speak  little  to  unconverted 
fiiends  without  earnest  supplication  for  your- 
self. But  speak  much  for  thdm  to  him  who  is 
able  to  save  to  the  uttermost ;  for  "  it  is  not 
the  will  of  your  Father  that  one  of  these  little 
ones  should  perish." 

I  knew  a  widower  who  had  an  only  child. 
From  her  early  childhood  she  was  an  anxious 
care  to  her  godly  father.  For  seventeen  years 
this  parent  prayed  without  any  evidence  that 
his  prayer  was  heard,  save  the  abiding  prom- 
ise that  cannot  lie ;  "  If  ye  abide  in  me,  and 
my  words  abide  in  you,  ye  shall  ask  what  ye 
will,  and  it  shall  be  done  unto  you."  John 
XV.  7. 

A  preacher  of  the  gospel,  and  a  truly  con- 
verted man,  became  interested  in  this  daugh- 
ter ;  whether  she  gave  some  appearance  of 
being  touched  by  his  solicitude  for  her,  which 
he  mistook  for  an  evidence  of  change  of  heart, 
I  know  not,  but  he  married  her.  And  thus, 
neglecting  the  injunction  not  to  be  unequally 


EN-HAKKORE.  113 

yoked,  he  wrought  for  himself  much  bitterness 
and  sorrow. 

The  young  wife  ridiculed  her  husband  ;  she 
attended  the  services  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
and  with  a  foolish  companion  delighted  in 
mocldng  him  on  their  return.  Heart-sick  her 
poor  father  looked  back  on  nineteen  years  of 
unanswered  prayer,  and  in  desolation  of  heart 
he  said, 

"  I  will  go  and  see  her  once  again,  and  I  will 
then  pray  for  her  no  more."  So  he  set  off  to 
visit  her. 

He  reached  his  son-in-law's  house  ;  the 
cloth  was  spread  for  supper.  No  one  was 
there  ;  a  neighbor  told  him  every  one  was  gone 
to  the  meeting. 

The  sad-hearted  man  sat  himself  down  and 
reviewed  the  past,  and  groaned  in  anguish  of 
spirit ;  and  he  said,  "  I  will  wait  here  and 
warn  her  again,  and  then  I  will  pray  for  her 
no  more." 

But  now  were  heard  the  steps  of  the  people 
returning  from  the  meeting,  and  his  son-in- 
law  entered,  followed  by ,  tliis  child   of 


114  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

many  prayers.  The  father  shrank  back,  ex- 
pecting to  hear  some  words  of  cruel  mockery. 
"What  was  his  amazement  when,  after  a  most 
tender  greeting,  he  beheld  husband  and  wife 
kneel  side  by  side,  and  one  after  the  other 
pour  forth  glad  thanksgivings  for  salvation 
that  had  visited  their  dwelling.  Happy,  hap- 
py day  ! 

Take  courage,  ye  who  carry  your  rebellious 
children  and  unbelieving  relations  to  the  Lord 
Jehovah  !  Be  it  nineteen  years,  or  twice  told 
nineteen  years,  fear  not ;  only  abide  in  him  ! 
Ye  know  not  when,  nor  where,  nor  through 
what  channel,  will  flow  the  grace  of  God ; 
enough  when  you  hear,  "  Go  thy  way ;  thy 
son  liveth."     Only  abide  in  him. 

A  Christian  lady  had  an  only  brother,  her 
last  near  relative.  While  she  rejoiced  in  the 
way  of  life,  he  walked  the  paths  of  death. 
He  was  a  confirmed  drunkard.  She,  with 
friends  and  a  position  of  affluence  in  this 
world,  had  her  heart  set  on  the  world  beyond. 

This  affectionate  and  intelligent  woman, 
strong  in  him  who  is  able  to  subdue  all  things 


EN-HAKKOKE.  115 

unto  himself,  left  her  own  pleasant  home,  and 
took  up  her  abode  in  the  poor  drunkard's 
dwelling. 

Years  passed  by.  There  may  have  been 
hours  of  sorrow  and  regret  in  the  days  of  the 
unhappy  man,  but  he  had  never  sorrowed  after 
a  godly  sort,  and  they  wrought  no  change  in 
him. 

Day  after  day  on  the  borders  of  the  lake 
where  they  dwelt,  she  might  be  seen  in  the 
summer  twilight  following  at  a  distance  the 
unsteady  steps  of  the  wanderer,  as  a  mother 
would  watch  her  child. 

The  position  which  she  voluntarily  accepted 
sundered  her  even  from  Christian  relationship.' 
It  may  be  that  thus  she  found  the  strength  to 
walk  therein  to  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  "  Bles- 
sed is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  and 
whose  hope  the  Lord  is."     Jer.  xvii.  7. 

In  the  minds  of  others  all  expectation  of  any 
favorable  result  from  her  self-denying  service 
had  failed  long  since.  Not  so  in  the  mind  of 
a  faithful  disciple  of  Him  who  came  to  seek 
and  to  save.   When  urged  to  leave  the  wretch- 


116  TVAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

ed  man  to  his  fate,  and  to  bestow  her  time 
and  abilities  on  more  fruitful  sources  of  ser- 
vice, her  reply  was  always  the  same,  "  The 
Lord  has  called  me  to  this  work ;  there  is  no 
one  else  to  do  it.  God  will  give  me  my  broth- 
er's soul." 

After  a  few  days'  sudden  illness,  the  Lord 
of  seed-time  and  harvest  called  home  his  faith- 
ful laborer.  And  some  who  had  known  her 
faith,  and  the  patient,  watchful  care  bestowed 
on  one  who  disregarded  it,  said,  "  It  has  been 
aU  in  vain !  Who  will  watch  him  now  !  who 
will  care  for  him  now  ?  " 

Oh,  dear  friends,  God  is  faithful ;  judge  no- 
thing before  the  time.  Was  there  no  evidence 
during  this  seed-time  ?  was  the  path  all  bar- 
ren ?  Nay  ;  long-suffering,  gentleness,  good- 
ness, faith,  meekness,  everlasting  fruit  laid  up 
for  the  beloved,  was  seen. 

That  pale  coffined  form  follows  the  wander- 
er rio  more  ;  but  the  silence  of  death  seals  with 
a  mighty  force  the  service  done.  Where  are 
the  thousand,  thousand  prayers  ?  Where  is  the 
evidence  which   her   djang  breath  repeated. 


EN-HAKKORE.  117 

abiding  in  the  Beloved, —  "God  will  give  me 
my  brother's  soul  ?  " 

The  grass  was  not  green  npon  her  grave 
not  far  from  the  shore  of  the  lake  where  the 
faithful  woman  trod  so  often  in  faith,  when  — 
behold  the  harvest !  The  brother  so  long 
sought  is  found !  Behold  him  clothed  and  in 
his  right  mind,  sitting  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  a 
living  testimony  to  the  power  of  believing 
prayer  according  to  the  new  covenant  of 
promise.     Jolm  xv.  5,  7. 

The  Bible  is  full  of  prayers  and  answers  to 
prayers,  evidences  of  man's  helplessness  and 
of  God's  almighty  power.  The  lives  of  those 
who  watch  for  liim  are  full  of  tokens  of  his 
faithfulness  and  care,  Luke  xii.  7,  and  in  the 
lives  of  those  who  do  not  watch  for  him  may 
be  traced  the  effect  of  the  prayers  of  those  who 
do.  Chapters  would  not  suffice  to  record  the 
answers  to  my  own  feeble  cry.  With  shame 
I  confess  how  often  I  listen  to  the  whisper  of 
my  unbeUeving  heart,  "  Trouble  not  the  Mas- 
ter." "  JNIany,  O  Lord  my  God,  are  thy  won- 
derful works  which  thou  hast  done,  and  thy 


118  WAYSEDE   SERVICE. 

thoughts  which  are  to  us-ward  ;  they  cannot 
be  reckoned  up  in  order  unto  thee  :  if  I  would 
declare  and  speak  of  them,  they  are  more  than 
can  be  numbered."     Psa.  xl.  15. 

The  simplicity  of  prayer,  and  the  simplicity 
of  the  means  by  which  it  is  answered,  are 
often  used  to  the  pulling  down  of  strongholds, 
and  confounding  the  things  that  are  mighty. 
Our  very  infirmities  and  necessities  thus  be- 
come sources  of  everlasting  blessing ;  and 
some  mean  and  otherwise  useless  instrument 
may  slay  a  host  of  our  enemies,  and  prove 
the  medium  of  a  living  fountain  to  a  thirsty 
soul. 

One  morning  I  was  preparing  my  packets 
of  tracts  and  "  Revivals,"  etc.,  to  send  to  some 
distant  friends  :  several  had  to  be  posted  in 
time  for  the  foreign  mail.  All  looked  for 
them  by  a  certain  day.  Only  a  short  time 
remained  for  me  to  send  them  to  the  neigh- 
boring town,  when,  to  my  dismay,  I  had  no 
string.  Devising  several  expedients,  and  fail- 
ing in  all,  I  did  at  last  what  I  should  have 
done  at  first  —  told  Jesus.     I  sat  quietly  wait- 


EN-HAKKOEE.  Ill) 

ing,  when  it  struck  me  that  I  would  again 
examine  the  bag  in  which  previously  I  had 
made  a  fruitless  search.  I  found  a  tiny  roll  of 
twine,  enough  for  one  parcel,  but  very  pre- 
cious to  me  as  a  sign  of  my  Father's  answering. 
I  had  already  vainly  applied  to  my  lQ,ndlady. 
But  I  rang  the  bell.  It  was  answered  by  a 
little  girl  who  came  to  assist  her,  and  who  oc- 
casionally waited  on  me. 

I  had  before  me  many  an  e\ddence  that  my 
Redeemer  livcth.  I  had  told  him  my  desire 
that  the  dear  friends  who  looked  for  their 
monthly  remembra^e  should  not  be  disap- 
pointed. I  was  importunate,  for  the  hour  tvas 
waning  fast. 

I  asked  the  child  if  she  could  go  to  town, 
thinking  I  might  yet  be  able  to  send  her  to 
buy  some  new  string.  She  smiled  and  listen- 
ed, but  made  no  answer  ;  she  then  left  the 
room,  returning  with  a  large  ball  of  pink 
twine,  which  she  placed  exultingly  before  me, 
saying,  "  Father  made  it  on  purpose  for  you, 
ma'am.  He  wanted  to  do  something  for  you, 
you  were  so  kind  to  me ;  he  is  a  rope-maker. 


120  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

and  he  said  that  this  twine  was  the  best  tiling 
he  could  think  of;  it  was  only  finished  last 
night." 

Never,  surely,  did  a  ball  of  pink  twine 
awake  a  more  grateful  song  of  praise.  The 
parcels  were  completed,  and  my  happy  Httle 
helper  carried  them  off  to  the  post. 

In  the  evening  my  landlady  told  me  that 
she  had  a  relation  coming  to  visit  her,  adding, 
"  I  think  she  is  a  Christian  ;  but  she  is  always 
fretting,  and  never  knows  whether  she  is  right 
or  wrong.  I  wish  you  could  speak  to  her.  I 
fear  she  won't  be  persuaded  to  see  you." 

From  the  window  the  following  day  I  re- 
marked a  stranger ;  her  countenance  betok- 
ened a  heart  ill  at  ease.  I  pondered  on  invit- 
ing her  in,  when  my  landlady  ushered  her  into 
my  room  at  her  own  request.  She  was  a 
Christian,  so  far  as  believing  that  the  punish- 
ment due  to  her  sins  had  been  laid  upon  the 
spotless  Son  of  God.  But  while  she  confessed 
that  she  knew  that  he  had  died  for  her,  she 
had  never  realized  that  "  he  liveth." 

She  was  full  of  "  responsibility,"  of  working 


EN-HAKKORE.  121 

and  doing,  without  liaving  believed  that 
"Without  me  ye  can  do  nothing,"  and  that 
the  Holy  Spirit  must  work  in  us,  to  will  and 
to  do  of  his  good  pleasure. 

The  Lord  led  her  to  open  her  heart  to  me, 
and  I  saw  from  whence  her  trouble  arose. 
When  she  paused  I  said,  "  Have  you  ever  told 
Jesus  all  you  have  told  me  ?  " 

"  No,"  she  answered  in  surprise,  "  I  should 
not  think  he  would  listen  to  me  about  such  a 
thing;  it  would  be  but  a  little  matter  to 
him." 

"  Your  poor  dehcate  baby  is  a  very  little 
thing,  but  you  love  it.'* 

"  Yes,  indeed." 

"  It  is  a  very  little  thing  to  others  if  the 
unclosed  shutter  lets  in  the  dancing  sunbeam 
upon  its  face,  and  keeps  it  from  its  midday 
sleep ;  but  you  make  it  a  great  matter,  because 
you  love  to  know  that  your  child  is  not  suffer- 
ing sleeplessness  from  it." 

I  then  pointed  to  the  ball  of  twine  that, 
though  decreased  in  size,  was  still  a  goodly  tes- 
timony to  the  faithfulness  of  the  living  God. 


122  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

I  told  her  its  history.  She  listened  with  an 
interest  deeper  than  curiosity,  as  I  assured  her 
from  experience  that  there  was  nothing  small 
or  great  to  the  eternal  Father.  Scarcely  had 
I  paused  ere  she  was  summoned  to  her  sup- 
per. 

.  When  she  came  to  take  leave  of  me,  her 
"  countenance  was  no  more  sad."  She  thanked 
me  warmly  for  the  words  I  had  been  led  to 
speak  to  her,  and  pointing  to  the  ball  of  string 
she  smiled  and  said, 

"  To  think  it  was  that  little  ball  of  twine 
did  it  all !  " 

Thus  the  mean  weapon  with  which  Giant 
Doubt  was  slain  became  a  well  of  water  to  one 
who  cried. 

My  window  overlooked  a  small  homestead 
and  fields,  on  which  the  tenant  himself  la- 
bored. From  the  pillow  of  my  sofa  I  had 
watched  the  grain  ripen  for  the  sickle,  and 
later,  the  group  of  men  and  women  reaping, 
gathering,  and  gleaning. 

The  harvest  was  over.  It  was  a  warm, 
moist  day,  with  occasional  heavy  mist  and  rain 


EN-HAKKORE.  123 

T  had  ceased  to  enjoy  the  close  of  the  harvest : 
the  one  poor  horse  had  toiled  with  scarcely 
any  intermission  from  early  morn  till  eve,  and 
I  was  thankful  when  I  saw  the  poor  jaded 
creature  led  off  to  his  stable,  instead  of  dying 
on  the  field. 

Scarcely  half  an  hour  had  passed  when  the 
master  returned,  very  smartly  attired  in  his 
Sunday  suit,  dragging  the  poor  reluctant  ani- 
mal by  the  bridle.  He  fastened  it  to  a  sledge, 
which  he  loaded  heavily  with  wood.  The 
weary  creature  could  not  draw  the  load  ;  its 
drooping  head  told  its  inability.  The  farmer 
seized  a  yoke  that  lay  by  it,  and  beneath  the 
fierce  blow  he  dealt  it  it  nearly  sank,  but  did 
not  move  forward.  Could  my  voice  have 
reached  him  in  a  petition  to  spare  the  sinldng 
beast,  it  would  have  availed  little  against  the 
wrath  of  man ;  but  in  less  time  than  I  can 
write  it  I  cried  to  the  Lord  God  for  deliver- 
ance for  the  horse.  Swift  as  my  cry  came  the 
answer.  As  the  man  raised  the  yoke  again  to 
smite,  his  foot  slipped  and  he  fell,  and  failing 
to  gain  his  footing  he  rolled  in  the  black  mud. 


124  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

When  he  arose  lie  presented  a  melancholy 
spectacle.  After  a  few  mmutes  to  recover 
himself  he  unfastened  the  horse,  who  moved 
off  to  his  stable.  The  sledge  I  saw  still  laden 
with  wood  in  the  morninof. 

Doth  God  take  care  for  oxen,  and  will  he  not 
for  horses?  Will  he  remember  the  sparrow, 
and  give  no  heed  to  the  cry  of  his  childi*en? 

In  a  lodging  I  had  taken  elsewhere  in  the 
summer  I  was  disturbed  by  mice.  I  com- 
plained to  my  landlady,  who  was  firmly  per- 
suaded that  no  mice  had  ever  been  heard  in 
my  apartments.  She  evidently  thought  that 
it  was  some  imaginary  mouse.  I  was  suffering 
seriously  from  want  of  sleep.  I  had  com- 
plained to  my  landlady  twice,  and  not  once 
had  I  told  Him,  to  whom  my  sufferings  were 
of  far  greater  interest. 

Worn  out  by  repeated  nights  of  watching  I 
at  last  told  Jesus,  and  that  night  I  slept 
soundly  ;  the  next  night  the  same.  I  heard 
no  more  of  the  mice ;  my  landlady  thus  tri- 
umphantly proving  to  her  own  satisfaction  that 
the  supposed  mouse  was  not  a  mouse. 


EN-HAKKORE.  125 

I  write  it  with  shame.  I  confess  that  I 
accepted  this  great  mercy  as  a  matter  of 
course,  without  thanksgiving,  though  con- 
scious that  the  Lord  had  done  it  all.  When 
one  sultry  evening  I  entered  my  bedroom  the 
windows  were  closed ;  an  odor  so  offensive 
met  me,  that  I  hastily  opened  the  windows 
and  left  the  room.  When  I  returned  to  bed 
the  room  was  still  insupportable.  And  now  I 
felt  asliamed  to  complain  again  to  my  landlady, 
lest  I  should  weary  her. 

Then,  and  not  till  then,  did  I  remember 
One,  who  fainteth  not,  neither  is  Aveary ; 
whose  ear  is  open  to  our  cry  ;  and  whose  hand 
is  powerful  to  help.  To  sleep  in  the  room  as 
it  was,  was  out  of  the  question,  and  it  was 
now  late  in  the  night.  I  began  to  carefully 
search  the  chamber.  One  of  the  old-fashioned 
fire-irons  had  fallen  from  its  upright  position  ; 
I  raised  it,  and  underneath,  crushed  by  its 
weight,  lay  a  large  dead  mouse  in  a  state  of 
decomposition.  Ah  !  then  my  thanldess  heart 
remembered  my  Father's  care,  and  I  praised. 
Oh  blessed  day  of  small  things,  wliich  the  God 


126  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

who  clothes  the  grass,  and  gives  food  to  the 
lavens  who  cry,  does  not  despise ! 

When  I  showed  my  landlady  this  evidence 
of  blessing  and  reproof  from  the  hand  of  my 
heavenly  Master,  she  began  to  consider  if  such 
things  could  be,  —  that  the  Lord  of  the  whole 
earth  would  have  regard  to  the  sleepless  nights 
and  aching  head  of  his  sick  child  ;  and  often  I 
was  allowed  to  point  her  anxious  mind  to  my 
own  staff,  too  frequently  mislaid  or  forgotten, 
"Be  careful  for  nothing ;  but  in  everything 
by  prayer  and  supplication,  with  thanksgiving, 
let  your  requests  be  made  known  unto  God; 
and  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing, shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds 
through  Christ  Jesus."     Phil.  iv.  6. 


THE    LOOK. 

And  the  Lord  looked  upon  him,  and  said,  Go  in  this  thy  mlgb^ 
Judges  vi.  14. 

I  LOOKED  upon  the  olive-grove, 

What  comfort  could  it  bring? 
Tlie  fmitful  vine,  once  full  of  speech, 

Was  but  a  common  thing. 
Up  to  the  gorgeous  skies  I  gazed, 

Down  to  the  silvery  sea, 
On  to  the  purple  sunset  heights; 

But  aU  was  dumb  to  me. 


EN-HAKKOKE.  127 

Then  back  I  taimed  to  vanished  days, 

Wlien  Christ  liis  love  revealed — 
To  messages  of  hope  and  peace, 

His  faitliful  hand  had  sealed. 
And  well  I  knew,  "  for  me  he  died," 

But  yet  no  rest  could  be, 
Until  my  drooping  heaii;  could  sing, 

"My  Saviour  lives  for  me  1" 

I  looked  upon  my  wounded  feet. 

So  often  led  astray; 
I  strove  to  count  my  countless  sins, 

For  ever  put  away ; 
I  looked  on  everytliing  but  him, 

In  desolating  grief. 
And  found !  —  O  heart,  what  couldst  then  find 

Of  solace  and  relief? 

Then  sat  I  down  before  the  Lord, 

That  he  my  need  might  see; 
And  helpless,  hopeless,  speechless,  then 

My  Saviour  looked  on  me. 
Oh,  look  of  life!  oh,  might  of  love! 

My  heart  that  glance  returned. 
And  melting  'nealh  his  heavenly  smlle^ 

With  joy  and  ardor  burned. 

Just  so  my  sweet  and  sovereign  Lord 

On  Peter  looked  before; 
He,  In  the  strength  of  that  one  look* 

Denied  his  Lord  no  more; 
But  followed  him  in  life  to  death: 

Lord,  let  r.ie  do  the  same! 
Yea,  let  me  go  in  this  thy  might— 

Strong  in  thy  Iloly  Name. 


128  WAYSIDE   SEEVICE. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


THE  PLEASANT    PLANT. 

If  the  Lord   bo  with  us,  wliy  then  is  all  this  befallen  us? 

Judges  vi.  13. 

i^  S  I  sat  on  the  terrace  of  my  foreign  dwel- 
ls, li^^g)  and  looked  from  the  blue  waters  of 


^ji  tlie  vine-clad  shores  of  Lake  Leman  in 
its  sunny  loveliness,  to  Mont  Blanc,  crowned 
with  snow  towering  above  it,  I  felt  how  per- 
fectly the  contrasts  of  Nature  harmonized 
beneath  the  hand  of  the  great  Creator. 

Sheltered  beneath  the  terrace  of  the  chateau 
were  the  earliest  and  choicest  vines :  their 
fruit  had  long  been  formed,  and  in  some  places 
it  was  even  ripening,  so  that  I  was  surprised 
to  see  a  man  pruning  among  them.  It  seemed 
almost  ci'uel  to  denude  them  of  so  much  of 
their  lovely  foliage  when  they  needed  protec- 
tion from  the  heat  of  the  sun.  I  descended 
the  slope,  and  found  the  path  bestrewed  with 


THE  PLEASANT   PLANT.  129 

the  branches  and  their  graceful  tendrils,   al- 
ready burned  up  in  the  glowing  noon. 

With  deep  interest  I  watched  the  vine-di-es- 
ser  as  he  intelligently  examined  every  branch 
before  pruning  it,  so  skillfully  did  he  use  the 
sharp  knife,  and  so  carefully  did  he  handle  the 
branches.     I  inquired, 

"  Monsieui',  Avill  you  tell  me  why  you  are 
pruning  your  vines  so  late?  I  thought  all 
such  work  had  been  completed  long  since. 
Surely  some  of  these  branches  might  be  left ; 
it  appears  a  pity  to  cut  them  so  closely." 

He  smded  at  my  ignorance,  and  replied, 

"  Nay,  madame  ;  the  value  of  the  vine  is  in 
the  fruit,  not  in  the  leaves.  If  these  branches 
remain,  they  may  njake  wood ;  but  it  is  my 
fruit  here  that  I  have  my  eye  upon." 

On  this  the  knife  pruned  expertly  close  to 
the  leading  stem,  and  as  the  branch  fell,  it 
disclosed  three  or  four  rich  clusters  of  grapes 
near  to  the  root.  A  few  strong,  healthy  leaves 
were  left  to  protect  them  from  being  dried  up 
by  the  ardent  rays  of  the  sun,  and  to  prevent 
the  too  rapid  exhalation  of  the  dew,  while  the 


130  WAYSIDE   SEllVICE. 

fair  clustering  fruit  was  nourislied  into  full 
strength  and  beauty  by  the  sap  from  which  it 
drew  its  life. 

*'  I  am  the  proprietor,"  said  the  strangei 
pausing,  and  glancing  with  e"vddent  satisfaction 
along  the  vine-clad  slope.  "  I  love  to  work 
among  my  vines  myself.  I  watch  them  in 
their  growth ;  I  think  about  them,  and  prune 
them  with  care ;  but  if  you  saw  the  men  em- 
ployed down  there,"  said  he  in  a  tone  of  com- 
miseration, pointing  compassionately  to  another 
vineyard,  "  you  would  see  that  they  cut  here, 
and  slash  there,  and  bruise,  and  break,  and 
trample  among  them,  without  understand- 
ing." 

As  he'  continued  his  work  I  spoke  to  him  of 
the  heavenly  Husbandman,  and  the  great  vin- 
tage. He  confessed  it  would  be  well  if  such 
thoughts  would  come  with  the  labor,  and  there 
our  conversation  ended.  Retracing  my  steps 
to  my  seat  beneath  the  lofty  maples,  the  words 
that  Jesus  spoke  came  fresh  to  my  heart,  "I 
am  the  true  vine,  and  my  Father  is  the  hus- 
bandman  Herein  is  my  Father  glorified, 


THE   PLEASANT   PLANT.  131 

that  ye  bear  much  fruit ;    so  shall  y<}  be  my 
disciples."     John  xv.  1,  8. 

This  man  did  not  look  for  a  few  scattered 
berries,  or  untimely  fruit ;  he  was  anticipating 
an  abundant  vintage,  which  should  hereafter 
produce  wine  to  "make  glad  the  heart  of 
man."  And  the  leaves  wliich  he  was  remov- 
ing, if  they  fell  not  beneath  the  pruning-knife 
of  the  husbandman,  would  perish  in  the  win- 
ter's cold. 

Many  weeks  had  gone  by  since  I  had  first 
looked  on  this  vineyard.  What  cloudy  days 
we  had  seen !  What  storms  had  beaten  the 
young  plants  low! — and  yet  they  lived  and 
bore  fruit ;  and  some  bore  "  much  fruit."  The 
sun  had  sent  its  searching  beams  among  them, 
and  wild  winds  from  the  mountains  had  threat- 
ened to  uproot  them.  They  had  been  early 
pruned,  and  now  they  were  pruned  again,  and 
beneath  it  all  they  became  more  fi'uitful  and 
beautiful !  And  there  is  yet  another  process 
for  wliich  we  wait.  The  bruising  and  crush- 
ing of  the  grape  is  to  come,  ere  the  juice  shall 
produce  the  wine  for  wliich  it  was  cultivated. 


132  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

By  many  such  means  is  the  Great  Husband- 
man preparing  the  branches  of  his  choice  vine, 
and  maturing  heavenly  fruit  for  his  eternal 

joy!  . 

When  the  young  branches  are  first  pruned 
they  "  weep,"  *  or  bleed,  and  then  the  buds 
of  promise  burst  forth  ;  but  when  they  are  last 
pruned  fruit  is  there,  and  it  responds  to  the 
pruning  by  increased  richness  and  beauty. 

I  praised  my  God  and  Father  that  he  had 
given  me  to  read  and  rejoice  in  this  fair  page 
of  natui'e  opened  before  me,  on  which  his  own 
hand  had  inscribed,  "  God  is  love." 

The  Lord  delighteth  in  the  prosperity  of  his 
choice  vine-branches.  Ah,  my  friend!  it  is  not 
the  prosperity  that  Asaph  envied.  He  has 
better  things  for  his  beloved.  The  scorching 
fires  of  temptation,  and  the   rough  blasts  of 

*  The  "weeping"  of  the  vine,  which  continues  for  two  or 
three  days,  lias  been  used  for  one  of  the  false  miracles  of  the 
Romish  church,  the  vine-branches  being  placed  in  the  figure  of 
the  Virgin  in  such  a  way  that  the  tears  of  the  vine  fell  at  inter- 
vals from  her  eyes.  This  was  pointed  out  by  the  priests  as  a 
mark  of  the  loving  pity  of  the  Virgin  mother  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  a  reason  why  her  intercession  must  be  beneficial 
and  necessary  to  the  acceptance  of  the  prayers  of  the  worship* 
ers. 


THE  PLEASANT   PLANT.  133 

malignity  and  oppression,  and  cloudy  dajs  of 
sickness,  and  sadness,  and  desolation,  will  in 
the  end  show  the  love  and  wisdom  of  the  Great 
Husbandman. 

Tribulation  in  various  forms  is  the  special 
sign  of  the  Chui'ch  militant.  There  is  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ  for  his 
body's  sake,  the  church,  which  must  be  filled 
up ;  but  the  sighs  are  all  counted,  and  tears 
are  all  numbered,  not  one  stifled  sob  is  omit- 
ted ;  they  have  each  a  purpose  to  fulfill ;  but 
"  as  the  sufferings  of  Christ  abound  in  us,  so 
our  consolation  also  aboundeth  by  Christ." 
2  Cor.  i.  5.  We  fear  affliction,  yet  it  is  the 
Shechinah  in  which  it  oftentimes  pleases  the 
Lord  to  reveal  himself  more  immediately  to  his 
beloved  people.  Many  a  one,  in  looking  back 
upon  those  pruning  times,  bears  witness  to  the 
glory  seen  in  the  darkest  day.  Nor  are  we  to 
suppose  that,  when  God  changes  the  nature  of 
the  trial,  it  is  an  expression  of  his  displeasure, 
but  rather  to  call  into  action  some  undevel- 
oped grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  increase 
the  fruitfulness  of  the  behever.     Christ  ap- 


134  WAYSIDE   SEKVICE. 

peared  in  "  another  form  "  to  certain  of  his 
disciples ;  but  it  was  the  same  heavenly  Mas- 
ter, bent  on  the  same  gracious  purpose,  to 
teach  them  to  wait  for  him,  watch  for  him, 
and  trust  in  him  ;  therefore,  "  no  man  should 
be  moved  by  these  afflictions ;  for  yourselves 
know  that  we  are  appointed  thereunto."  1 
Thess.  iii.  3. 

Perhaps  the  early  pruning  of  a  converted 
soul  consists  in  the  first  necessity  that  occurs 
of  believing  in  opposition  to  sense ;  to  know 
that  Christ  is  the  same,  (Heb.  xiii.  8,)  when 
the  palsied  hand  of  faith  can  no  more  joyously 
handle  him.  Unconsciously  to  ourselves  we 
rely  upon  our  emotions,  rather  than  upon  the 
object  of  faith.  The  sure  rock  that  trembles 
not  is  the  Christ  of  the  Word  —  God  revealed 
in  Jesus. 

The  infallible  testimony  is,  that  Christ  is 
God,  (1  John  i.  1,)  and  that  his  covenant  stand- 
eth  sure.  And  when  shadows  lengthen  and 
deepen  and  fall  on  one  pleasant  hope  after  an- 
other, —  when  every  nerve  vibrates,  and  your 
heart  sinks,  so  that   you  can  no   longer  feel 


THE   PLEASANT   PLANT.  135 

that  you  cling  to  him  with  your  trembling 
grasp,  —  oh  then,  how  precious  the  assurance 
that  in  him  is  no  shadow  of  turning,  in  him  is 
no  darkness  at  all ;  and  though  you  cannot 
hold  him,  as  you  think,  yet  he  holds  you,  and 
nothing  can  pluck  you  out  of  your  Father's 
hand. 

We  are  prone  to  think  we  are  only  safe 
when  faith  is  in  full  vigor ;  but  wc  have  no 
more  cause  to  fear  when  it  can  oul}^  touch  the 
hem  of  the  Saviour's  robe.  "  I  am  the  Lord, 
I  change  not."  "  God  is  not  a  man  that  he 
should  lie." 

Infirmities  are  not  sins ;  and  yet  they  are 
often  regarded  as  such.  The  clouded  intellect, 
the  shattered  nerves,  the  lost  faculty  of  setting 
before  another  the  ground  of  your  hope,  dis- 
may the  soul ;  but  on  that  sad  heart  the  com- 
passionate eye  of  the  blessed  One  is  resting 
in  full  comprehension,  and  tender  sympathy. 
"  The  Lord  looketh  on  the  heart."  Its  depths 
reflect  the  rock,  though  no  dancing  sunbeams 
light  its  surface  to  attract  or  rejoice  other  eyes. 
He  beholds  the  desire  after  himself,  though 


136  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

for  his  own  wise  purpose  he  permits  you  to 
feel  your  own  impotence  to  recognize  him 
until  he  reveal  himself.  But  the  message  of 
love  is  still  for  you,  "  Fear  not  ye  ;  for  I  know 
that  ye  seek  Jesus  which  was  crucified."  "Be 
of  good  comfort."     "  It  is  I,  be  not  afraid," 

It  is  written,  "  I  will  remember  my  cove- 
nant with  thee : "  but  oh,  how  often  do  we 
forget  it,  and  so  lose  sight  of  Jesus  and  of  a 
Father's  love.  It  is  the  omission  of  frequent 
confession  of  sin,  and  the  neglect  of  application 
to  the  High  Priest  of  the  sanctuary  that  we 
may  realize  the  blood  that  cleanseth,  which 
make  many  a  dear  child  of  God  sorrowful  and 
afraid.  One  believing  glance  at  Jesus,  and 
self-love  and  unbehef  fall  before  us.  God 
himself  is  glorified  by  our  reliance  on  his  word 
spoken,  and  sealed  with  the  blood  of  the  Lamb 
slain.     Rom.  iii.  24. 

"  I  have  none  of  the  joys  of  communion  with 
the  Lord,"  said  a  sorelj^-tried  Christian  to  me ; 
"but  I  believe  in  him,  and  love  him.  The 
best  that  I  can  do  in  these  dark  days  is  to  read 
his  covenant  of  mercy  by  which  I  was  called, 


THE   PLEASANT   PLANT.  137 

and  in  which  I  am  sustained,  and  cry, '  Forget 
not  thy  covenant.'  Often  I  can  do  no  more 
than  place  my  finger  on  the  word,  which  now 
seems  my  stronghold,  '  jrY  covenant,'  and 
plead  it  with  him  to  keep  me  from  sinking." 

The  Lord,  tender  and  gracious,  does  not 
withhold  "  more  grace  "  from  those  who  stay 
themselves  on  the  first  round  of  the  ladder ; 
hut  he  would  have  them  believingly  ascend 
and  behold  the  glory  which  shall  follow. 
Fear  not,  "  he  will  ever  be  mindful  of  his  cov- 
enant." 

We  may  be  conscious  of  tlie  snare  from 
which  an  affliction  has  delivered  us,  or  the  evil 
it  was  intended  to  reveal  or  purge,  or  we  may 
not ;  therefore  often  is  the  child  of  God  in 
much  amazement  in  his  early  trials.  Others 
may  rashly  judge  him,  and  write  bitter  tilings 
against  the  righteous  —  nay,  the  righteous  will 
be  ready  enough  to  write  bitter  things  against 
himself.  God  alone  knoweth  the  heart.  One 
thing  only  it  is  declared  to  know  — "  its  ow  a 
bitterness." 

Oh  blessed  thought !     He  who  alone  know- 


138  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

etli  it  has  love  and  sympathy  to  meet  its  every 
need.  He  knoweth  all  its  aggravations,  its 
secret  spring  of  pain,  its  hours  of  hopelessness, 
its  dire  temptations,  its  low  condition,  its  re- 
bellion, hardness,  and  deceit.  All  this  the 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  knew  before 
he  gave  his  Son  to  die  for  you.  All  this  the 
beloved  Son  in  the  Father's  bosom  knew 
before  he  took  on  himself  your  nature,  and 
laid  down  his  sinless  life  for  your  sins.  All 
this  the  Holy  Ghost  knew  before  he  began  to 
manifest  the  work  of  sanctification  in  your 
soul.  The  promise  is  sure.  "  Sin  shall  not 
have  dominion  over  you."  There  is  a  wide 
distinction  between  temptation  and  sin.  The 
sin  consented  unto  is  the  cause  of  our  humilia- 
tion ;  the  temptation  resisted  we  are  com- 
manded to  count  "  all  joy."  The  heart  sigh- 
ing after  fuller  communion  with  the  Beloved 
may  be  more  harassed  with  corruption  for  a 
time  than  in  a  lower  sphere  of  spiritual  life. 
The  great  adversary  can  judge  of  the  soul's 
progress  ;  he  sees  the  believer  approaching  a 
point  where  henceforth  his  malice  O'ill  be  una- 


THE   PLEASANT   PLANT.  139 

vailing,  —  therefore  lie  puts  forth  his  strata- 
gems to  retard  such  a  one :  that  hour  brings 
with  it  another  blow  to  his  kingdom,  by  the 
child  of  faith  entering  into  closer  fellowship 
with  the  power  and  wisdom  of  God,  "  In  all 
these  things  we  are  more  than  conquerors 
throuoh  him  that  loved  us."     Rom.  vLii.  37. 

o 

If  we  have  to  conquer,  then  there  is  an 
enemy ;  and  as  there  is  armor  provided,  there 
is  certainly  conflict.  If  there  were  no  *'  fiery 
darts,"  what  need  of  the  shield  of  faith  ? 
Christianity  is  not  only  defensive,  it  is  aggres- 
sive. There  are  wicked  spirits  in  heavenly 
places  as  well  as  the  visible  wolves  which 
walk  in  sheep's  clothing,  ready  to  wound  or 
destroy.  There  are  the  hosts  of  evil  imagina- 
tions, and  cruel  desires ;  and  these  leave  a 
wide  field  for  conflict,  and  conquest  through 
faith  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  slain.  "  Our 
help  is  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  who  made 
heaven  and  earth."  Psalm  cxxiv.  8.  If  the 
Thessalonians  had  not  endured  persecution 
and  tribulation,  Paul  could  not  have  rejoiced 
in   their  patience  and  faith,  which  were  tha 


140  "WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

friiits  thereof.  2  Tliess,  i.  4.  If  he  himself 
had  not  been  brought  before  Caesar,  we  should 
have  lost  his  thrilhng  discourse,  and  he  would 
have  missed  the  occasion  of  testimony  for  the 
Lord,  and  of  reasoning  with  Felix  on  right- 
eousness, temperance,  and  judgment  to  come. 

There  is  a  "  needs  be "  for  the  stormy 
blasts,  and  the  burning  sun,  and  the  sharp 
knife,  if  the  life  and  prosperity  of  the  Lord's 
choice  vine  is  to  be  proved. 

The  Lord  has  pronounced  a  blessing  on  the 
meek  (Matt.  v.  5)  ;  but  unless  the  soul  be 
placed  in  a  position  of  temptation,  how  shall 
the  grace  of  God  in  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  be  manifested ?  "I  will  beautify  the 
meek  with  salvation."  How  ?  Circumstances 
must  prove  that  grace  strengthens  the  soul  for 
deeper  trials. 

One  of  the  largest  hospitals  in  a  city  in  the 
south  of  France  was  blessed  with  a  directress 
or  matron  who  was  a  faithful  follower  of  the 
Lord.  Her  service  was  not  a  thing  apart  from 
her  spiritual  life,  but  a  field  on  which  she 
sought  to  glorify  Him  whose  disciple  she  was. 


THE  PLEASANT  PLANT.  141 

She  was  often  subjected  to  misapprehension 
by,  and  even  insult  from,  the  patients ;  but 
she  had  learned  by  grace,  that  a  meek  and 
quiet  spirit  was  of  great  price  in  the  sight  of 
Him  who  was  meek  and  lowly  of  heart. 

On  one  occasion  a  patient,  angry  at  a  rule 
of  the  hospital  being  enforced,  spat  in  the 
matron's  face  in  the  presence  of  the  assembled 
ward;  she  quietly  wiped  her  face,  saying,  "I 
have  been  greatly  honored  to  share  the  indig- 
nity offered  to  m}^  blessed  Saviour."  The  out- 
rage was  never  repeated.  But  afterwards  a 
new  patient  was  admitted,  and  when  placed 
in  bed,  the  matron  sent  her  daughter  to  remove 
the  apparel  from  the  ward  to  another  apart- 
ment, as  no  clothing  was  allowed  to  be  re- 
tained in  the  sleeping  room.  As  the  young 
girl  stooped  to  gather  the  clothing  together, 
the  woman,  enraged  that  it  should  be  removed, 
bent  over  her,  and  raising  one  of  her  heavy 
sabSts  (clogs)  struck  her  violently  and  repeat- 
edly on  the  back. 

All  looked  on  in  wonder  and  dismay  at  tliis 
undeserved  cruelty  to   one   who   had  nevei 


142  WAYSIDE   SEEVICE. 

offended,  feeling  that  tJiis  must  touch  the 
mother's  heart  far  more  severely  than  any  in- 
dignity offered  to  herself. 

The  matron  calmly  continued  her  duties. 
In  the  evening  the  culprit  beheld  her  approach 
her  bed.  She  waited  for  some  word  of  re- 
proach,—  none  came ;  for  some  expression  of 
displeasure  in  her  face,  —  none  was  seen. 
Christ  was  in  his  holy  temple,  and  all  the  earth 
kept  silence  before  him  ! 

Carefully  she  arranged  the  pillows,  tenderly 
she  spoke  to  the  woman  while  performing  the 
offices  of  kindness  which  she  mis^ht  well  have 
deputed  to  another.  The  culprit  shrank  be- 
fore her ;  there  was  no  sign  of  the  remem- 
brance of  this  most  unlovely  deed.  The  heart 
of  the  harsh  and  violent  woman  melted  be- 
neath the  power  of  the  Holy  S23irit.  She 
watched  and  listened  to  the  directress,  as  from 
day  to  day  she  ministered  of  the  "  good 
things  "  promised  by  her  heavenly  Father ; 
and  in  a  little  time  the  truly  new-born  child 
of  God  confessed  Christ.  Before  leaving  the 
hospital  she  declared  that  the  meek  forgive- 


THE  PLEASANT   PLANT.  143 

ness  of  injury  thus  manifested  by  one  who 
walked  with  God,  had  broken  her  heart  and 
prepared  it  for  the  blessings  awaiting  her. 

Ye  who  pine  to  serve  and  can  find  no  place, 
"  Go  and  do  likewise." 

There  are  cloudy  days  for  the  pleasant  plant, 
for  fruit  is  forming ;  and  if  the  sunshine  falls 
on  the  bud  of  promise,  then  the  goodly  branch 
will  droop.  So  we  miss  some  from  their  place, 
when  all  seemed  to  give  hope  of  much  fruit ; 
and  the  laborer,  bewildered  at  the  sudden 
transition  from  what  seemed  prosperity  to 
utter  desolation,  cries,  "  Why  is  it  thus  with 
me?" 

Ah!  the  Great  Husbandman  knows  why; 
and  what  "  thm  knowest  not  now,  thou  shalt 
know  hereafter."  The  zeal  with  which  you 
seemed  to  serve  God  may  have  appeared  to 
you  an  acceptable  service,  calling  for  some- 
thing better  than  this  abrupt  termination. 
"  God  seeth  not  as  man  seeth."  T]ie  very 
success  and  enjoyment  in  the  work  so  dear  to 
you  ma}^  liave  covered  a  snare  from  which  He 
in  his  wisdom  has  seen  fit  to  shelter  his  bhnd 


144  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

but  beloved  child.  His  eye  detects  the  leaves 
that  must  fall ;  and  though  the  knife  be  sharp, 
it  is  love  that  holds  it.  Better  that  the  right 
hand  be  cut  off,  than  that  the  soul  he  loves 
should  suffer  loss.  Your  comeliness  would 
soon  have  faded  beneath  the  drought  of  sum- 
mer, unknown  to  you  ;  your  incense  would 
have  had  no  sweet  savor.  And  now,  could 
the  companions  of  your  labors  behold  you  in 
the  inner  chambers,  they  would  moui-n  over 
you,  and  write  "Ichabod"  on  your  prostrate 
soul.  Not  so  the  compassionate  God-Man. 
He  has  numbered  your  tears ;  he  has  seen 
your  affliction ;  and  he  has  weighed  it  against 
the  glory  which  you  cannot  comprehend,  and 
for  which  he  is  thus  preparing  you. 

Perhaps  self-love,  or  the  desire  of  the  flesh, 
might  have  destroyed  the  work  for  the  Lord; 
and  in  pity  he  has  protected  you,  that  under 
the  shelter  of  the  canopy  of  cloud  you  may 
"inquire  of  the  Lord,"  Ah!  our  mercy-seat 
is  in  the  Beloved ;  and  there  we  may  learn, 
as  far  as  we  can  receive  it,  why  it  is  thus  with 
us. 


THE   PLEASANT   PLANT.  145 

Has  the  Master  of  the  house  seemed  to  shut 
you  out  from  testimony  and  service  ?  Will 
the  work  dear  to  you  languish  ?  Is  the  door 
closed  where  ouce  you  went  in  and,  out,  pro- 
claiming the  name  of  the  Lord,  merciful  and 
gracious?  Where  he  so  often  met  you  with 
blessing,  he  will  meet  you  again ;  but  your 
eyes  are  holden  that  you  cannot  see  him. 
Before  the  throng  of  angels  and  archangels, 
in  the  presence  of  the  Lord  himself,  you  shall 
glorify  him.  "  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way 
that  they  knew  not ;  I  will  lead  them  in  paths 
that  they  have  not  known ;  I  will  make  dark- 
ness light  before  them,  and  crooked  things 
straight.  These  things  will  I  do  unto  them, 
and  not  forsake  them."     Lsaiah  xlii.  10. 

Is  it  nothing  to  live  in  testimony  before  God, 
unseen  of  man?  "Walk  before  me;"  and 
thismust  be  without  any  ulterior  motive  or 
desire  to  be  seen,  or  any  regard  to  results.  It 
is  only  as  we  do  this  that  the  strength  comes 
for  the  action  of  faith.  There  is  manj^  a 
secret  service  offered  to  us,  that,  like  the 
weary  traveler  at  the  Arab's  tent,  may  whis- 


146  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

per,  "  I  am  sent  of  God,"  and  for  wliicli  there 
is  no  visible  recompense  ;  but  it  is  accepted 
with  the  sweet  consciousness  that  it  is  offered 
to  the  Father  which  seeth  in  secret.  Hospi- 
tality is  part  of  the  religion  of  the  Arabs. 
Even  an  enemy  is  not  denied  food  and  shelter. 
A  stranger  goes  to  the  tent  with  these  words, 
"I  am  sent  of  God  ; "  a  mat  is  given  him  to 
repose  on,  and  food  and  milk  spread  for  liis 
refreshment.  The  Arab  considers  it  a  breach 
of  the  rites  of  his  religion  to  deny  his  guest 
anything,  or  to  say  or  do  aught  that  would 
anger  or  sadden  him  at  his  departure. 

General  Ducasse  when  in  Algeria,  being 
himself  a  superior  officer,  was  conducted  to 
the  tent  of  the  chieftain,  who  received  him 
with  marked  respect.  He  had  one  lovely  little 
girl  who  delighted  the  General  by  her  grace 
and  playfulness.  When  weary  of  her  childish 
sports,  in  which  the  old  officer  had  joined  her, 
she  sat  on  his  knee  and  amused  herself  with 
the  brilliant  decorations  of  his  uniform,  resting 
her  glossy  head  upon  his  breast.  After  the 
General  had  retired  to  rest  his  thoughts  dwelt 


THE   PLEASANT   PLANT.  147 

upon  the  fair  young  playmate,  and  he  pre- 
pared a  gift  for  her  that  she  might  in  future 
days  remember  him.  This  he  desired  to  be- 
stow with  his  own  hand  before  liis  departure. 
When  the  chieftain  entered  his  tent  the  officer 
inquired,  "Where  is  your  beautiful  child? 
May  I  see  her  before  I  leave  you  ?  " 

The  father's  face  was  overshadowed.  He 
replied, 

"  She  sleeps  !  " 

"Nay,"  urged  the  General,  "I  have  a  gift 
to  bestow  on  her,  and  I  would  give  it  with  my 
own  hand." 

"  Impossible." 

"  Oh,  let  me  see  her  !  "  urged  his  visitor. 

"  No  !  no !  "  replied  the  chieftain  sternly, 
motioning  him  back  ;  "  you  cannot  see  her," 
and  his  face  was  so  cold  and  rigid  that  his 
guest  dared  not  press  his  request.  Then,  at- 
tending him  to  the  door  of  his  tent,  he  bade 
him  farewell. 

The  little  company  had  proceeded  some 
distance  in  silence  when  General  Diicasse 
turned  to  his  aid-de-camp  and  inquired  why 


148  "WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

his  host  had  been  so  peremptory  in  not  allow- 
ing him  to  take  leave  of  his  lovely  little  daugh- 
ter.    The  reply  stunned  him. 

"  Last  night,  after  you  retired  to  rest,  she 
fell  from  the  embankment  and  was  killed  on 
the  spot.  The  rights  of  hospitality  would 
have  been  broken  had  you  shared  his  grief." 
The  religion  of  the  Arab  taught  him  obedience 
to  what  he  believed  to  be  the  commands  of 
God,  though  he  was  in  heathen  darkness  as  to 
the  unknown  God.  Here  is  the  call  for  living 
faith  owned  of  a  living  God.  There  may  not 
be  the  conscious  action  of  faith  at  all ;  but 
faith  is  there, —  shown  in  the  willingness  of 
patient  waiting,  which  glorifies  the  Lord. 

Nor  is  it  true  that,  while  knowing  your 
position  as  a  child  of  God,  there  can  be  no 
real  affliction.  Jesus  knows  otherwise.  He 
mffered  his  Father's  will,  and  agonized,  and 
wept,  and  was  tempted  even  as  we  are,  "  yet 
without  sin." 

Suffering  and  temptation  we  must  neces- 
Barily  share  with  the  Man  of  Sorrows  alone. 
Human  sympathy  can  go  but  a  little  way  with 


THE  PLEASANT   PLANT.  149 

US ;  though  so  precious  a  gift  of  God,  he  with- 
holds it,  and  bestows  it  as  seems  good  to  him. 
And  natural  sympathy  without  him  is  often 
expended  before  our  trial  is  over. 

But  you  have  learned  to  know  his  voice 
before  the  cloudy  day  shrouded  him  from  your 
sight.  You  have  loved  to  trace  his  hand  and 
mark  his  footsteps,  and  now  he  is  teacliing 
you  deeper  lessons.  "  Hear  him  ;  "  for  in  this 
mysterious  dispensation  he  is  answering  your 
desire  for  "  more  fruit,"  for  which  you  have 
importuned  him.  Oh,  could  you  look  beyond 
these  days  of  darkness,  and  see  the  results, 
you  would  be  satisfied.  Can  you  not  trust 
him?  You  have  entreated  for  blessings  for 
which  you  were  not  fitted,  and  you  are  thus 
being  prepared  to  receive  them.  You  would 
be  content  for  the  Lord  to  work  your  way  to 
overcome  the  obstacles  in  your  reception  of 
his  gifts ;  but  when  he  does  some  "  new 
thing,"  and  prepares  to  exhibit  to  jon  some- 
thing more  of  his  rich  sufficiency ;  some  nearer 
view  of  himself  which  shall  call  forth  your 
adoring  wonder ;  you  shrink  back  afraid  and 


150  WAYSIDE   SEE  VICE. 

amazed,  and  cry,  "  He  liidetli  his  face,"  simply 
because  you  lack  faith  to  believe  that  he  has 
heard  your  prayers,  and  is  answering  your 
request. 

If  the  Holy  Ghost  work  some  "  new  thing  " 
with  us  and  in  us  (Is.  xlviii.  6),  let  us  not 
fear ;  the  heart  is  slow  to  recognize  spiritual 
gifts,  and  slack  to  praise  for  them ;  for  the 
things  of  sense  need  not  the  delicate  percep- 
tion by  which  alone  the  things  of  the  Spirit 
are  discerned.  The  faith  that  believes  that 
the  grace  prayed  for  must  come,  may  perhaps 
not  discover  that  the  prayer  has  been  heai'd 
until  that  grace  is  called  into  exercise ;  thus 
the  fruit  is  visible  through  some  unexpected 
pruning. 

You  have  no  joy  in  the  promises,  no  delight 
in  the  thought  of  the  return  of  the  Beloved. 
Perhaps  joy  is  not  what  the  Lord  is  requir- 
ing from  you,  but  the  patient  requirement 
to  believe  in  his  love,  and  to  lay  even  these 
joyous  emotions  at  his  feet,  resting  on  his 
truth. 

If  in  his  strength,  and  for  his  glory,  you  can 


THE  PLEASANT   PLANT.  151 

quell  one  rising  murmur,  and  smooth  the  fur- 
rows on  your  pain-pent  brow,  he  will  rejoice 
in  your  prosperity.  It  is  a  work  for  angels 
and  devils  to  behold,  though  the  world  and 
the  Church  militant  know  nothing  of  it. 

The  natural  —  even  the  fair  and  beautiful  — 
must  give  place  to  resurrection  life.  The 
placid  temperament  becomes  destroyed  by 
sickness,  and  Satan  finds  a  new  avenue  of 
attack,  because  this  gate  of  the  citadel  has 
been  unguarded.  But  if  tlie  temper  is  ruffled, 
it  can  be  subdued ;  and  Christ's  power  will 
arise  on  its  destruction.  If  the  sanguine  heart 
has  throutrh  constant  irritation  become  anxious 
and  doubting,  it  is  only  for  the  grace  of  th(v 
Spirit  to  be  seen  in  a  new  and  spiritual  hope. 
Thy  right  hand  may  "  forget  its  cunning,"  yet 
will  the  Lord  be  magnified  in  the  prosperity 
of  his  servant.  For  as  Christ  is  the  root  of 
the  vine,  so  the  Spirit  brings  /orth  the  fruit. 
In  wintry  days  the  sap  returns  for  the  nour- 
ishment of  the  liidtlen  life  ;  and  these  days  of 
apparent  barrenness  are  seasons  when  the  in- 
visible  power  still    continues   its   work ;  and 


152  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

that  work  is  always  sanctification  in  some 
form  or  other. 

One  of  the  Lord's  fruitful  branches,  so 
greatly  honored  in  service,  passed  through 
many  such  seasons  of  trial.  But  when  called 
home,  he  lay  for  days  in  such  enraptured  com- 
munion with  the  Lord,  that  even  his  wife, 
whom  he  dearly  loved,  could  not  share  his 
thoughts ;  but  he  said  to  her,  his  face  glow- 
ing with  rapture,  "  The  Lord  in  this  says  to 
me,  You  have  often  murmured  at  the  way  I 
have  led  you ;  but  Avhat  do  you  think  of  it 
now  ?  " 

Be  of  good  cheer  ;  he  will  rejoice  in  the 
prosperity  of  his  servant. 

If  only  in  life's  pleasant  ways, 
Tlie  Shepherd's  tender  love  is  known, 

Then  may  I  ask,  in  sad  amaze. 
If  still  he  careth  for  his  own. 

But  grief,  and  weariness,  and  pain, 
Mark  where  the  Man  of  Sorrows  trod; 

And  he  who  would  the  kingdom  gain 
Must  follow  thee,  thou  Son  of  God. 

If  days  of  ease,  and  nights  of  rest. 
And  sweet  affection's  gentle  bands. 

Could  woo  the  wanderer  to  thy  breast. 
Then  might  1  claim  them  at  thine  hands. 


THE    PLEASANT   PLANT.  153 

For  thou  hast  every  blessing  boiijjht, 

Sealed  by  thy  pierced  hands  above, 
Aiid  my  salvation  fully  wrought 

From  the  deep  fountain  of  thy  love. 

And  yet  I  ask  for  prosperous  days; 

Nor  wilt  thou,  Lord,  my  suit  deny: 
For  while  upon  thyself  I  gaze. 

My  soul  shall  know  prosperity. 


154  WAYSIDE  SEEVICE. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

UNDER    THE    JUNIPER. 

I  will  stand  upon  my  watch,  and  set  me  upon  the  tower,  and 
will  watch  to  see  what  He  will  say  imto  me.— Hab.  ii.  1. 

fHERE  are  two  positions  for  desert  trial. 
In  the  one,  the  disciple  of  the   Lord  is 

;  "  led  up  of  the  Spirit,"  into  circumstances 
of  temptation  and  affliction  over  which  he  has 
no  control.  The  other  is,  when,  like  Jonah, 
he  flies  from  a  service  which  the  Lord  has 
clearly  required  of  him ;  or  as  Elijah,  forsakes, 
in  willfulness,  distrust,  or  uulelief,  the  place 
of  testimony  to  which  he  has  been  called. 

Sickness,  bereavement,  and  spiritual  conflict 
are  often  followed  by  desolation  of  soul  that 
separates  it  from  the  world  without,  and  leads 
it  into  deeper  acquaintance  with  God  himself 
than  it  is  possible  to  obtain  elsewhere.  The 
other  position  of  darkness  is  the  result  of  dis- 
obedience or  sin  in  some  form ;  sometimes  the 


UNDER   THE  JUNIPEK.  155 

consequence  of  self-will,  by  taking  our  justijfi- 
cation  and  deliverance  into  our  own  hands,  for- 
getting Him  "  which  doeth  great  things  past 
finding  out ;  yea,  and  wonders  without  num- 
ber." In  a  word,  the  Holy  Spirit  has  been 
grieved.  When  David  cried,  "  Make  thy  face 
to  shine  upon  thy  servant,"  "  Thou  didst  hide 
thy  face,  and  I  was  troubled,"  he  gave  utter- 
ance to  the  experience  that  still  marks  the 
pilgrim's  heavenward  journey.  Inasmuch  as 
the  Holy  Spirit  docs  not  manifest  the  face  of 
the  Father,  it  is  hidden ;  and  as  far  as  he  with- 
holds the  realized  fellowship  in  Christ,  the 
soul  is  troubled  by  the  darkness  ;  for  the  chil- 
dren of  the  day  alone  understand  the  depth  of 
the  trial  of  the  desolation  of  night. 

Weary  and  heart-sick  must  have  been  the 
honored  witness  of  the  God  of  Israel,  when  he 
laid  himself  down  beneath  the  juniper  and 
prayed  to  die.  1  Kings  xix.  4.  While  he 
realized  the  power  that  sustained  him  in  his 
service,  he  boldly  confronted  armed  men  and 
the  rage  of  kings  face  to  face ;  but,  forgetting 
the  soui-ce  of  liis  strength,  he  fled  before  the 
threat  of  a  wicked  woman. 


156  WAYSIDE   SEBVICE. 

Instead  of  the  death  he  prays  for,  sleep  falls 
upon  the  desponding  man,  and  one  of  the 
bright  host  of  heaven  is  appointed  to  minis- 
ter to  his  sinldng  body.  So  the  Lord  answers 
us.  The  saint,  worn  out  with  anxious  labor 
and  neglect  of  communion  with  the  Lord, 
whose  strength  alone  can  sustain  him,  ceases 
to  realize  him  in  the  day's  trial.  The  myste- 
rious connection  of  the  instrument  of  the  soul 
with  the  soul  itself  is  often  disregarded,  and 
Satan,  taking  advantage  of  physical  weakness 
and  infirmity,  harasses  the  sad-hearted  servant, 
until  he  falls  into  desolation  of  spirit,  and,  hke 
Elijah,  he  is  weary  of  his  work  and  of  his  life. 

Ye  who  tarry  beneath  the  juniper,  and  cry, 
"  Oh  that  I  were  as  in  months  past,  as  in  the 
days  when  God  preserved  me,  when  his  candle 
shined  upon  m}^  head,  and  when  by  his  hght 
I  walked  through  darkness,"  —  "  Arise  and 
eat ;  "  for  Jesus  hath  said,  "  My  flesh  is  meat 
indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink  indeed  ; "  and 
in  the  strength  of  that  food  ye  shall  go  forty 
days,  if  need  be,  in  the  wilderness.  If  the  law 
and  judgment  roll  their  fearful  thunders  over 


UNDER   THE  JUNIPER.  157 

you,  yet  tliey  will  only  make  more  evident  tlie 
"still  small  voice"  of  the  Lord,  tender  and 
gracious.  He  will  lead  you  back,  after  this 
desert  lesson,  with  a  deeper  comprehension  of 
the  power  of  Him  who  has  set  his  servant  in 
the  forefront  of  the  battle  ;  and  having  taught 
you  what  you  are  without  him,  he  will  show 
you  what  you  may  accomplish  with  him. 
Have  your  enemies,  like  Jezebel,  driven  you 
under  the  juniper  ?  Fear  not  them.  "  Bless- 
ed are  ye  when  men  shall  hate  you,  and  when 
they  shall  separate  you  from  their  company, 
and  cast  out  your  name  as  evil,  for  the  Son  of 
man's  sake.  Rejoice  ye  in  that  day,  and  leap 
for  joy  ;  for,  behold,  your  reward  is  great  in 
heaven."     Luke  vi.  22,  23. 

We  know  not  what  these  desert  trials  pro- 
tect us  from ;  what  hot  blasts  of  temptation 
we  have  been  hidden  from  ;  what  instruction 
we  have  received  for  others  and  for  ourselves ; 
what  progress  in  sanctification  has  resulted 
from  brokenness  of  heart.  Take  courage  I 
The  hour  of  lassitude  and  depression  is  not 
the  time  to  count  up  what  we   possess   our- 


158  WAYSIDE   SEEVICE. 

selves;  but  it  is  the  time  to  believe  in  the 
riches  laid  up  for  us  by  the  faithfulness  of  a 
covenant  God,  who  has  said,  "I  will  give  thee 
the  treasures  of  darkness." 

To  examine  our  progress  in  a  new  country, 
we  do  not  wait  for  the  day  when  storms  sweep 
over  it,  and  heavy  mists  blind  our  eyes  and 
obscure  our  view.  But  we  take  the  chart,  and 
try  our  way  by  the  Word,  which  is  truth.  If 
my  telescope  is  dim  with  tears,  and  I  cannot 
see  the  object  I  seek,  it  does  not  prove  that 
the  object  does  not  exist :  I  must  beheve  that 
it  is  there,  though  invisible  to  me.  Such  a 
posture  of  soul  honors  God  in  blind  faith  even 
more  confidingly  than  when  in  the  exaltation 
of  sense  we  cry,  "  He  is  mine ;  for  I  behold 
him."  It  is  now,  "  He  has  made  with  me  an 
everlasting  covenant  that  cannot  be  broken." 

Sad  is  my  heart,  and  dark  as  cold; 

No  light,  no  joy,  is  mine: 
Return  thou  Holy  Comforter, 

With  hope  and  peace  divine  I 

Oh,  let  thy  soft  reviving  beams 

Show  Christ  alone  my  tiiist, 
Although  my  faithless  spirit  seems 

Still  cleaving  to  the  dustl 


THSTDER   THE  JTJNIPEE.  159 

Earth  holds  no  light  for  me,  O  Lord! 

Since  I  tliy  face  have  seen; 
I  hear  no  whisper  in  thy  Word, 

The  thunder  rolls  between. 

O  Holy  Comforter!  restore 
The  only  joy  I  crave! 

0  Lord!  reveal  thyself  once  more; 
By  thy  salvation  — save! 

♦  *  #  * 

1  hear  the  words  of  tenderness, 
Sealed  with  my  Saviour's  blood; 

"I  will  not  leave  tlico  comfortless; 
Behold  the  Lamb  of  God!" 

Declension  will  often  arise  from  negligence 
in  taking  heed  to  the  Holy  Spirit's  admoni- 
tion, or  from  failing  to  follow  out  the  desire  of 
grace  that  has  dawned  in  the  heart,  or  using 
the  devices  of  the  flesh  to  complete  that  which 
we  have  undertaken  in  the  Spirit.  The  sins 
of  negligence,  of  willfulness,  or  of  ignorance, 
are  variously  met.  But  if  we  heed  not  the 
first  token  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  witness,  shad- 
ows may  deepen  around  us  ;  and  if  we  enter- 
tain his  enemies,  he  may  perhaps  leave  us  tc 
slumber,  and  to  eat  the  fruit  of  our  doings, 
before  he  again  manifests  to  us  the  precious 
gift  which  a  Saviour's  blood-shedding  has  se- 
cured to  us. 

Is  it  only  comfort,  and  the  removal  of  a 


160  WAYSIDE   SEEVICE. 

cross,  wliicli  you  seek  in  these  wintry  seasons? 
Then  the  trial  may  be  eluded  for  a  time  by 
the  excitement  consequent  on  the  pursuit,  and 
subsequently  by  the  possession,  of  some  earth- 
ly good.  This  will  di-aw  your  mind  away 
from  considering  your  ways,  and  understand- 
ing why  it  is  thus  with  you ;  so  that  you  hear 
not  the  voice  of  God  in  the  cloud,  and  miss 
the  instruction  that  lay  enshrouded  there  for 
you  with  the  blessing. 

If  your  cry  is  for  Christ,  in  any  wise  be 
assured  that  it  will  be  answered,  and  your 
progress  will  be  upwards  and  onwards ;  for  he 
is  before  you  and  above  you ;  your  cry  is 
sweet  to  his  ear.  You  moan  in  your  anguish, 
"  My  God  has  forgotten  me."  Ah !  he  does 
not  forget.  The  very  shadow  proves  it.  It 
would  appear  more  like  forgetfulness,  if  he  left 
bis  wandering  child  to  prosper  in  the  way  he 
has  chosen  for  himself,  and  in  which  he  has 
found  enjoyment. 

To  God  the  Holy  Ghost  alone  pertains  the 
power  of  unfolding  the  mysteries  of  grace ; 
and  he  only  can  guide  us,  consciously  or  un- 


UNDER   THE  JUNIPER.  161 

consciously,  into  the  path  of  holiness.  If, 
through  pride  and  unbelief,  we  close  not  our 
minds  to  his  gentle  and  reviving  influence,  he 
will  lead  us,  warn  us,  encourage  and  console 
us,  reprove  and  control  us. 

I  would  not  make  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  a  subject  of  curious  inquiry.  It  is  ea- 
sier to  say,  "  We  are  nothing  in  ourselves," 
and  "  The  Lord  is  my  strength,"  than  jn-acti- 
cally  to  cast  the  soul  on  him.  We  draw  com- 
fort and  power  from  the  certainty  that,  as  we 
are  commanded  to  walk  in  the  S[)irit,  he  will 
lead  us,  if  that  is  our  desire  ;  and  that,  as  we 
are  enjoined  to  pray  in  the  Spirit,  he  will 
assuredly  incline  our  heatt  to  seek  such  things 
as  are  according  to  the  will  of  God,  if  we  wait 
upon  liim. 

We  must  not  expect  him  to  operate  always 
in  the  same  manner.  "  There  are  differences 
of  administrations,  but  the  same  Lord  ;  and 
there  are  diversities  of  operations,  but  it  is 
the  same  God  which  worketh  all  in  all.  But 
the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  is  given  to 
every  man  to  profit  withal."     1  Cor.  xii.  5-7. 


162  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

The  Spirit  blowetli  where  he  listeth.  The 
analogy  runs  through  nature.  The  wind 
sweeps  every  leaf  of  a  tree  in  the  same  direc- 
tion. It  breaks  a  dry  branch,  and  overturns 
a  comfortable  nest ;  it  dashes  to  the  earth  a 
lofty  pinnacle,  and  wrecks  a  noble  vessel  on 
the  waters.  It  is  no  less  the  wind,  when  it 
quivers  in  the  clustering  roses,  and  dries  the 
dews  of  night  in  the  bright  cups  that  send 
forth  renewed  fragrance.  The  same  breeze 
wakes  the  still  lake  into  tiny  rij)ples,  and 
carries  the  breath  of  the  spring  pasture  on 
its  wings. 

All  his  ways  tend  to  the  same  point  — 
sanctification  for  the  glovj  of  God.  Sove- 
reign in  his  power,  he  still  may  be  resisted ; 
and  by  the  command  given  to  the  Thessalo- 
nians,  "  Quench  not  the  Spirit,"  it  is  evident 
that  the  actions  of  grace  may  be  so  sinned 
against  that  no  sensible  manifestation  of  his 
presence  may  be  accorded. 

Without  the  blessed  Spirit,  what  shall  bring 
our  sins  to  remembrance,  or  recall  the  faith- 
fulness of  God,  or  the  mediation  of  the  Lord 


UNDER   THE  JUNIPER.  163 

Jesus?  The  word  will  be  as  a  dead  letter, 
without  his  breath  ;  and  the  free  gifts  to  man, 
which  Christ's  sacrifice  promised  us,  will  be  a 
matter  of  cold  speculation. 

Where  will  you  look  for  consolation  ?  To 
the  world,  from  whose  fetters  he  came  to  de- 
liver you  ?  To  your  own  intellectual  knowl- 
edge of  the  doctrines  that  once  formed  the 
ground  of  your  hope  ?  Oh,  trifle  not ;  for  God 
is  not  mocked.  Grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
God. 

There  are  times  when  the  soul  has  melted 
in  remembering  what  great  things  the  Lord 
has  done  for  it,  and  prayer  was  the  sponta- 
neous result.  But  at  anotlier  time  the  call  to 
praj'-er  may  liave  been  resisted,  and  a  more 
convenient  season  suggested,  or  some  forgotten 
business  may  have  been  recalled.  The  con- 
venient season  may  never  come  ;  and  if  it 
comes,  and  the  other  unnecessary  matter  has 
been  completed,  the  Spirit  has  been  resisted, 
and  leaves  you  to  mourn  that  you  had  put 
anything  in  place  of  God. 

Again,  an  hour  of  solitude  offers  itself,  and 


164  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

you  look  forward  with  joy  to  a  time  of  medi- 
tation and  prayer.  Satan  sees  it  too,  and  lie 
will  seek  to  destroy  the  tranquil  hour  by 
bringing  some  of  his  devices  to  act  upon  j'our 
imagination,  or  to  arouse  your  evil  passions. 
If  the  adversary  can  gain  your  ear,  he  will  not 
be  slow  in  following  up  his  advantage  ;  he  will 
perhaps  suggest  some  circumstance  of  sup- 
posed wrong  or  oppression  that  has  been  or 
may  occur.  He  presents  it  in  such  vivid  colors 
that  you  could  hardly  feel  less  irritated  if  the 
event  had  really  taken  place,  and  your  heart 
becomes  the  seat  of  turbulent  passion  or  in- 
dignation. jStill  keep  to  your  first  intention. 
You  looked  for  solitude  and  sweet  fellowship 
with  Jesus.  Better  to  be  there  in  conflict  and 
tears  than  to  let  Satan  have  the  advantage. 
He  may  harass  you;  he  cannot  devour  you. 
If  he  is  permitted  to  afflict  the  child  of  God, 
it  is  to  manifest  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  the  weakest  member  of  Christ's  body.  "  We 
are  more  than  conquerors  through  Him  who 
lovetli  us." 
The  doubts  and  dishonoring  thoughts  of  God 


UNDER   THE  JUJSTPER.  165 

that  crowd  the  mind  are  too  often  resisted 
in  human  strength.  The  heart,  ceasing  to 
realize  the  foundation  on  which  it  rests,  seeks 
in  its  intellectual  store  of  the  truths  of  God 
that  which  can  only  be  effectual  by  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Any  immoderate  desire,  any  undue  curiosity, 
any  enemy  of  God  welcomed  and  cherished, 
will  militate  against  the  manifestation  of  the 
Dove  of  Peace. 

Oh,  be  not  rocked  to  slumber  with  Satan's 
devices,  nor  think,  because  others  venture  to 
walk  in  paths  of  danger,  therefore  you  will 
avoid  all  peculiarity  and  be  like  them^  soothing 
yourself  with  the  thought  that  you  are  a  child" 
of  God,  and  cannot  be  lost.  This  is  turning 
the  grace  of  God  into  lasciviousness,  and  influ- 
encing others  by  your  example. 

To  those  who  follow  the  Lord  faithfully, 
every  sunbeam  and  shadow  will  have  an  inter- 
est;  as  the  botanist  sees  in  the  commonest 
weed  upon  his  way  another  link  in  liis  study  of 
nature.     Therefore  watch. 

It  is  not  to  "  follow,"  to  seek  guidance  only 


166  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

when  Kome  matter  is  in  hand  to  which  we 
attach  importance,  but  to  watch  hour  by  hour 
that  we  may  read  as  we  run  in  the  way  of  the 
Lord.  For  this  there  is  a  sure  reward.  Yes, 
in  despite  of  the  reproach  of  those  who  know 
not  that  the  power  and  the  presence  of  God 
is  in  a  separate  walk.  Will  it  be  seen  in  the 
world's  honors,  or  the  eulogy  of  your  breth- 
ren ?     Nay. 

What  has  ease  or  earthly  happiness  ever 
done  for  us,  in  comparison  to  our  enemies  and 
afflictions,  which,  in  driving  us  into  the  desert, 
enabled  us  to  realize  the  fullness  and  reality 
of  a  living  Head  ?  Our  dearest  comforts  too 
often  bind  us  to  earth  with  their  silken  bonds, 
until  we  forget,  in  the  shadow  of  the  gourd, 
the  mission  to  which  we  are  called  —  to  follow 
Jesus. 

Prayerfully  and  patiently  seek  light  and 
guidance  from  Him  who  giveth  liberally,  and 
upbraideth  not.  When  you  laiow  that  he  has 
guided  you  by  his  eye,  or  by  his  hard  provi- 
dentially, beware  lest  Satan  rob  you  of  youi 
reward. 


*■  UNDER   THE  JUNIPER.  167 

If  another  aver  that  he  has  received  other 
counsel  for  you,  heed  it  not,  even  if  he  declare 
an  angel  spake  to  him ;  for  if  you  do,  a  lion  in 
the  way  will  prove  that  God  is  not  a  man  that 
he  should  lie.  1  Kings  xiii.  18.  Even  one 
who  declares  himself  a  man  of  God  may  tell 
you  of  the  need  of  temporizing  and  expediency. 
The  Lord  is  only  proving  you,  whether  you 
will  be  faitliful  to  what  you  have  sought  and 
found  —  the  will  of  God. 

If  you  are  assured  that  he  has  bade  you  do 
this  thing  for  him,  do  it.  As  for  other  and 
subsequent  reasoning,  whether  of  friend  or  foe, 
put  it  aside  ;  for  the  Lord  saith,  "  What  is  that 
to  thee.     Follow  thou  me." 

Obedience  is  a  costly  sacrifice.  It  is  ac- 
cepted and  accurately  weighed  by  the  High 
Priest  of  the  sanctuary.  Do  you  think  that  a 
growth  in  grace  will  preserve  you  from  tempta- 
tion, or  prevent  the  smart  of  affliction  ?  There 
'  is  no  exemption  from  the  cross,  if  you  w£),lk 
with  Jesus.  We  miss  much  blessing  by  a 
restless  desire  for  action,  when  the  Lord  is  call- 
ing us  aside  for  quiet  communion  with  him- 


168  WAYSIDE  SERVICE.  ' 

self  tliroiigli  trials  which  we  are  yo  dull  in 
understanding.  It  is  probable  that  the  Lord 
would  reveal  himself  to  us  frequentl}^  without 
this,  if  we  were  in  our  true  position ;  for  his 
voice  is  heard  in  tenderness  when  he  has  not 
first  to  say  to  us,  "  Take  these  things  hence. 
Make  not  my  Father's  house  a  house  of  mer- 
chandise." The  natural  heart  loves  to  deal 
with  natural  things,  and  does  not  desire  the 
food  from  heaven. 

Obedience  is  always  the  preparation  for 
blessing.  "  Whatsoever  he  saith  unto  you  do 
it Jesus  saith  unto  them,  Fill  the  water- 
pots  with  water ;  and  they  filled  them  up  to 
the  brim  ; "  and  wine  was  the  result.  The 
reason  that  our  water  is  so  seldom  changed  to 
wine  may  perhaps  arise  from  our  lack  of  obe- 
dience. What  Jesus  has  said  unto  us  we  have 
not  done. 

My  tent  was  once  pitched  in  a  hamlet  re- 
mote from  a  town,  and  unfurnished  with  any 
means  of  conveyance,  except  a  cart  which 
went  to  market  for  provisions.  I  was  siu-- 
rounded  by  pleasant  lanes  and  moorland ;  but 


UNDER  THE  JUNIPER.  169 

I  could  not  take  advantage  of  their  proximity, 
for  I  was  unable  to  walk ;  and  the  garden 
surrounding  my  cottage  became  wearisome 
to  me. 

•  One  day  I  saw  a  pony  carriage  pass  the 
door,  and,  on  inquiry,  I  found  it  was  for  hire 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  neighboring  village. 
I  was  quite  alone  as  to  companionship,  and 
longing  much  for  some  service  suitable  to 
me ;  but  I  saw  none.  My  first  impression 
was  to  hire  the  carriage  ;  but  Satan  suggested 
that  it  was  sinful  to  take  the  indulgence.  I 
was  depressed  and  ill.  In  my  distress  I  poured 
out  my  heart  to  my  unfailing  Friend,  min- 
utely telling  liim  ivhij  I  wanted  the  carriage, 
and  praying  him  to  give  it  me  if  I  could  serve 
him  by  using  it,  and  to  make  it  so  plain  that 
it  tvas  his  will  that  I  shoidd  not  err  in  the 
matter.  Peace  returned  to  my  mind,  and  Sa- 
tan's suggestion,  like  the  howl  of  a  wolf,  only 
sent  me  into  the  arms  of  my  Good  Shepherd. 

I  waited.  The  second  day  had  arrived, 
when  a  packet  reached  me  containing  a  sum 
of  money,  and  a  request  that  it 'might  be  ap- 


170  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

propriated  for  the  use  of  a  carriage.  I  never 
learned  who  was  the  instrument  of  my  Father's 
tender  care  over  me,  but  in  thankful  joy  I  re- 
ceived it  from  Him  who  knoweth  that  we  have 
need  of  such  things. 

Although  it  was  evening,  I  sent  for  the  car- 
riage at  once ;  and  my  heart  bounded  as  for 
the  first  time  I  passed  the  boundary  of  the  lit- 
tle field  that  surrounded  my  garden.  I  prayed 
again  that  the  Lord  would  grant  me  a  token 
for  good  in  this  first  drive  ;  for  I  longed  only 
to  do  his  bidding. 

At  the  end  of  the  road  two  ways  met  —  we 
paused  ;  my  driver  advocating  the  high  road, 
while  the  fragrant  air  that  stole  over  the  wild 
thyme  and  gorse  and  heath,  seemed  to  invite 
me  to  the  moorland.  I  bade  the  boy  take  the 
high  road  —  why,  I  know  not.  When  we  had 
proceeded  a  short  distance,  I  remarked  an  aged 
Christian  lady  whom  I  knew  by  sight  resting 
on  the  road-side  with  her  servant,  unable  to 
proceed,  and  too  faint  to  be  left  to  send  her 
maid  to  seek  for  any  means  of  conveyance  to 
take  her  to  her  home.     Tempted  by  the  beau- 


UNDER  THE  JTHSTTPER.  171 

ty  of  the  afternoon,  she  had  gone  to  the  vil- 
lage, and,  overcome  with  weakness  and  fatigue, 
was  in  much  distress,  knowing  not  how  to  pro- 
ceed. The  grateful  smile  with  which  she  let 
me  assist  her  into  the  carriage  and  drive  her 
to  her  house,  I  accepted  as  the  sign  I  asked 
for,  while  her  tears  told  how  her  heart  was 
touched  at  the  Lord's  love  and  care  over  her. 

"  What  a  service  !  "What  a  sign  ! "  may 
some  say,  who  go  forth  into  the  crowded  dens 
of  "sin  and  misery  with  their  lives  in  their 
hands !  Yea !  yea !  I  say  so  too  !  But  oh, 
the  grace  of  God  who  accepts  what  we  have 
—  not  asking  for  what  we  have  not !  Unut- 
terable grace  to  the  vilest  and  last  called. 
The  same  grace  !  the  same  God !  the  same 
reward ! 

A  day  or  two  later  I  went  by  the  orchards 
and  fields,  giving  books  and  tracts  on  my  way 
as  opportunity  offered.  The  harvest  was  be- 
ginning, it  being  an  agricultural  district ;  thus 
the  cottages  were  mostly  empty,  and  passen- 
gers rare. 

Still  I  prayed  for  service,  and  expected  it. 


172  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

The  wind  was  high,  and  a  little  book  which  I 
had  sought  to  throw  into  a  cottage  garden 
was  carried  after  the  carriages  I  bade  the 
boy  alight  and  take  it  to  the  cottage ;  how- 
ever, he  left  it  at  the  gate.  Scarcel}^  had  he 
resumed  his  seat,  when  the  book  came  career- 
ing along,  this  time  before  the  carriage.  The 
pony  became  restless,  so  I  bade  the  driver 
wait  while  I  took  the  refractory  tract  to  the 
house  myself. 

With  the  vain  effort  of  fixing  it  in  the  han- 
dle of  the  door,  the  door  opened.  A  woman, 
whose  deathlike  countenance  and  gentle  sor- 
rowful mien  touched  my- heart,  was  startled 
by  my  sudden  entrance,  and  turned  towards 
me  from  a  window  in  another  direction.  The 
first  words  I  spoke  to  her  found  an  answer  in 
her  brightening  face.  I  learned  the  history 
of  her  long-standing  and  painful  maladj^  and 
of  her  sorrows.  Her  sad  expression  passed 
away,  as  we  communed  of  Him  who  was  our 
very  present  help,  and  beneath  the  shadow  of 
whose  wings  I  was  rejoicing. 

The  time  passed  swiftly.     I  took  leave  of 


UNDEB   THE  JTJNIPEE,.  173 

her ;  but  on  returning  for  a  moment,  I  was 
surprised  to  see  her  leaning  on  her  poor  thin 
hands  tightly  clasped  together,  while  her  tears 
fell  fast.  I  drew  near  her:  she  said,  "I  am 
weeping  tears  of  shame," —  to  me  they  seemed 
that  they  would  be  numbered  among  the 
tears  of  the  saints,  accepted  of  the  Lord,  and 
counted  "praise." 

At  last  she  said,  "  Oh,  ma'am,  this  is  the 
first  day  that  I  have  repined.  AU  was  so  dark 
to-day.  Our  people  ai'e  in  the  fields.  My 
child  is  at  the  village,  at  her  school.  The  kind 
fiicnds  who  used  to  come  and  cheer  me  have 
all  left  the  country.  From  morning  to  night 
I  have  sat  here.  I  was  so  lone  and  heavy  of 
heart ;  and  in  the  bitterness  of  my  murmuring 
spirit  I  said,  '  Lord !  Tliou  hast  taken  away 
all  my  friends ;  I  have  not  one  left  me  ! '  And 
now  before  nifjhtfall  he  sends  me  one  I  never 
saw  before.  This  is  how  the  Lord  answers 
me. 

It  seemed  a  very  small  thing  to  dry  the 
tears  of  my  Father's  child;-  but  to  my  heart  it 
was  a  token  of  his  love,  which  I  might  have 


174  WAYSIDE   SERVICE 

missed  had  I  chosen  to  go  to  a  stant  land  to 
preach  the  gospel.  Numberless  are  the  marks 
of  my  Father's  care  and  guidance  that  my 
heart  records.  I  have  related  those  which  by 
his  blessing  may  encourage  the  weakest  ones 
in  their  loneliness. 

The  natural  heart  retains  something:  of  the 
fear  of  Adam  after  his  fall,  and  dreads  to 
stand  alone  with  God.  We  constantly  hear 
sympathy  expressed  for  those  who,  from  the 
absence  of  the  members  of  their  family  or 
connections,  in  certain  seasons  are  left  alone. 
Yet  in  all  the  momentous  transactions  with 
the  Lord  Jehovah,  the  soul  has  been  "  alone 
with  God." 

It  was  thus  with  Abraham,  IMoses,  Jacob, 
Elijah,  Samuel,  Paul,  and  John  at  Patmos. 
Nor  were  they  "  alone  "  only,  but  often  af- 
flicted also. 

When  Jacob  took  his  way  into  the  desert 
alone,  he  fled  from  an  angry  brother,  who 
waited  only  for  his  father's  death  to  slay  him 
who  had  taken  his  birthright  and  his  blessing. 


UNDER   THE   JUNIPER.  175 

The  lonely  fugitive  had  a  stone  for  his  pillow; 
yet  it  was  there,  in  the  wild  wilderness  of 
Padan-aram,  that  he  received  the  first  mani- 
festation of  the  God  of  his  fathers,  and  beheld 
the  golden  ladder  let  down  fi'om  heaven,  and 
the  angels  of  God  ascending  and  descending 
upon  the  earth.  In  that  solitary  wilderness 
the  communication  from  the  Lord  himself 
was  given  him.  Had  not  Almighty  Wisdom 
foreseen  the  glory  which  was  to  be,  with  the 
necessity  of  that  desert  teaching,  Jacob  might 
still  have  lived  his  mother's  darling  in  his 
father's  house,  and  the  glorious  vision  have 
remained  unseen. 

During  my  residence  in  the  South,  I  had 
some  experience  of  the  blessing  of  follow- 
ing the  Lord,  and  the  sorrow  of  disobeying 
him. 

I  was  very  weary  with  my  sojourn  in  a 
crowded  city,  among  those  cither  indifferent 
or  hostile  to  my  blessed  Lord.  I  pined  for 
quiet  and  retirement ;  mind  and  body  both 
clearly  called  for  this.  My  path  was  so  hedged 
up  that  I  saw  no  way  of  obtaining  what  I  so 


176  WAYSIDE  SERVICE. 

much  needed.  A  happy  Christian  family 
whom  I  knew  had  a  lovely  villa  outside. the 
walls ;  and  many  and  many  a  day  the  charm 
of  a  visit  there  in  Christian  fellowship  pre- 
sented itself  most  alluringly  to  my  mind.  I 
made  it  a  subject  of  prayer.  But  it  seemed 
at  last  so  impossible,  that  I  besought  the  Lord 
to  guide  me  somewhere  —  anywhere  he  willed 
—  for  a  season  of  peace,  and  of  deeper  fellow- 
ship with  himself  than  I  could  obtain  amid 
the  distracting  gaiety  of  the  surrounding 
scenes. 

Gently  and  distinctly  a  place  was  presented 
to  me,  from  which  I  naturally  shrank ;  but  I 
felt  that  I  had  only  sought  the  will  of  the 
Lord  in  the  choice  of  it,  and  that  therefore  I 
ought  to  follow  its  leading.  Moreover  it 
would  lighten  a  longer  journey  which  lay 
before  me.  My  portmanteaus  were  packed, 
and  I  arranged  to  leave  on  the  following 
day.  It  was  no  small  trial  to  me,  when  a 
carriage  drove  to  the  door  with  my  friends, 
who  with  affectionate  solicitude  invited  me  to 
their  beautiful  home  for  a  lengtliened  visit. 


UNDER   THE   JUNIPER.  177 

My  first  feeling  was  cine  of  thankfulness; 
the  next  was  doubt  whether  this  was  my 
way.  I  strove  in  crooked  policy  to  think  I 
might  go  to  the  other  place  afterwards  ;  and 
yet  I  had  asked  the  Lord  as  to  time  as  well  as 

place. 

Dear  friends  advocated  my  remaining  and 
accepting  the  warm-hearted  hospitality  thus 
offered.  In  the  conflict  I  fell  into  great  dark- 
ness. Night  passed  without  any  light  on  my 
path.  When  the  morning  Ijroke  it  was  clearly 
shown  me  that  I  had  received  guidance,  and 
that  no  other  would  be  given  me.  My  heart 
was  at  once  brought  into  obedience,  and  I  saw 
it  was  sweeter  todo  Eh  will  than  to  enjoy  him 
in  his  people. 

I  fell  asleep,  and  as  I  awoke  there  came  to 
my  lips,  "  He  goeth  before  you  into  Galilee  ; 
there  shall  ye  see  him."  Mark  xvi.  7.  My 
journey  was  accomplished  in  peace  and  safety ; 
but  how  can  I  describe  the  sequel?  The 
hotel  where  I  alighted  was  out  of  the  town, 
and  was  occupied  by  one  family  only  besides 
myself.     The  deep  quiet  was  welcome  to  my 


178  WAYSroE   SERVICE. 

longing  heart.  But  what  can  I  say  of — how 
can  I  describe — the  faithfulness  of  my  beloved 
Lord,  and  the  powerful  manifestation  of  him- 
self? All  is  comprehended  in  "  Jesus  met 
me  ; "  and  I  realized  his  joy  in  being  con- 
strained to  remain.  Those  who  have  known 
these  things  in  their  own  experience  w^ill  com- 
prehend the  feelings  of  these  sacred  hours,  for 
which  we  have  no  words ;  and  may  those  who 
as  yet  know  them  not  learn  them  for  them- 
selves. 

Only  a  few  weeks  afterwards  a  leading  —  as 
prayerfully  sought,  and  as  clearly  granted  — 
was  met  by  disobedience  on  my  part,  and  fol- 
lowed by  a  shadow  as  deep  as  Elijah's  must 
have  been  when  he  cried,  "  Lord,  take  away 
my  life." 

If  you  would  walk  with  Jesus,  you  must 
learn  to  watch  for  him,  and  recognize  him, 
and  "  be  not  unwise,  but  understanding  what 
the  will  of  the  Lord  is."  Life's  daily  walks 
wiU  thus  open  new  views  of  him  to  your  soul, 
and  a  glory  wiU  shine  upon  common  things 
that  never  can  be  there  unless  his  sanctifying 


UNDER   THE   JUNIPER.  179 

touch  is  discerned  by  you.  Then  the  lowliest 
duty,  performed  with  singleness  of  purpose 
"  for  him,"  will  make  your  soul  as  a  watered 
garden. 

On  looking  from  the  terrace  of  a  house  in 
southern  Italy,  in  a  time  of  drought,  I  was 
attracted  by  one  green  spot  —  an  oasis  in  the 
desert.  The  citrons  and  oranges,  the  roses 
and  rich  flowering  plants,  were  bright  and 
blooming  ;  while  all  around  was  parched  and 
dry. 

I  found  my  way  in  the  course  of  the  next 
day  to  this  garden,  and  learned  the  secret  of 
its  beauty.  A  large  deep  well  was  in  its 
center;  on  either  side  of  it  were  two  tanlcs 
to  receive  its  overflowing  when  the  storms 
came ;  and  from  thence  were  several  small 
troughs,  which  conducted  the  water  to  the 
roots  of  the  large  orange  trees,  citrons,  and 
vines,  which  were  now  blooming  with  flow- 
ers and  fruit.  Then  I  felt  the  promise,  "  Thy 
soul  shall  be  as  a  watered  garden,"  coming 
powerfully  to  my  heart,  and  I  saw  the  secret 
in  the  deep   well ;    for  the  rich  fertility  de- 


180  WAYSIDE   SERVICE. 

pended  &till  upon  the  mountain  storms  for  a 
full  supply. 

The  memory  of  these  cool  streams  avails  us 
nothing ;  but  only  increases  our  thirst.  The 
garden  must  be  watered  every  moment. 

The  Lord  knows  what  is  best  for  his  wilder- 
ness family  :  not  one  good  thing  will  be  founJ 
lacking  when  they  enter  then  Father's  house. 
There  was  a  needs-be  for  QVQiy  shadow. 

There  on  such  landmarks  of  your  spiritual 
progress  you  will  pause,  while  fuller  j^i^aise 
swells  your  song,  and  echoes  through  your 
Father's  house ;  for  the  stars  that  have  marked 
your  midnight  march  will  have  shone  fairest 
in  their  heavenly  splendor,  as  you  rose  up  from 
the  shadow  of  the  juniper. 

Let  the  sweet  song  of  home, 

O'er  the  wild  waters  swelling, 
Cheer  lone  hearts  that  battle 

The  billows  among. 
Let  the  "  Light  of  the  World  " 

Be  the  light  of  your  dwelling, 
And  the  Father  himself  wiU 

Rejoice  iu  your  song. 

The  heart,  melodious  with  praise,  by  its 
daily  recognition  of  the  Lord,  is  tuned  to  pray 
for   spiritual   blessing   for  itself  and   others. 


UNDER   THE   JUNIPER.  181 

Praise  seems  of  such  small  accoimt  in  tlie  ex- 
perience of  some  of  God's  people,  that  many 
who  think  they  wrong  him  and  their  own  soul 
by  neglect  of  prayer,  deem  it  a  light  thing  to 
withhold  from  him  "  the  sacrifice  of  praise." 
When  the  high  praises  of  God  are  in  the 
mouth,  then  the  two-edged  sword  will  be 
wielded  in  power. 

Slow  is  the  heart  to  believe  that  the  Lord 
really  takes  pleasure  in  his  people  ;  pleasure 
in  their  prosperity,  pleasure  in  their  praise  I 

It  was  when  the  temple  of  Solomon  re- 
sounded with  praise,  that  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  filled  the  house.  It  was  when  those  tem- 
ples of  the  Holy  Ghost  (Paul  and  Silas)  were 
filled  with  Ids  praise  that  they  burst  forth  into 
songs,  and  the  foundations  of  a  prison  were 
shaken,  and  the  doors  were  opened,  and  every 
one's  bands  were  loosed,  and  the  keeper  of 
the  prison  fell  down,  in  chains  of  sin,  —  to  rise 
up  in  life  and  gladness.     Acts  xvi.  2G. 

The  people  of  Moab,  Ammon,  and  Mount 
Seir,  could  not  stand  before  Judah,  who  came 
out  against  them  with  songs  of  praise.     And 


182  'wayside  service. 

as  they  went  out  in  praise,  so  they  returned, 
for  the  Lord  made  them  to  rejoice  over  their 
enemies.     2  Chronicles  xx.  27. 

How  is  he  praised  ?  They  that  speak  of  his 
glory,  and  talk  of  his  power,  make  known  to 
the  sons  of  men  his  mighty  acts,  and  the  glo- 
rious majesty  of  his  kingdom.  None  need  be 
silent.  As  there  are  many  grains  of  sand  to 
form  the  boundary  over  which  the  sea  shall 
not  pass,  so  there  are  a  multitude  of  God's 
tender  mercies  for  which  the  soul  in  recording- 
may  praise  and  take  courage  ;  for  the  bound- 
aries of  Satan  are  set  by  the  same  Almighty 
hand. 

Despond  not;  for  in  the  Lord  is  your 
strength.  But  remember  it  is  God's  vine  that 
is  pruned,  and  that  you  must  be  a  lily  in  the 
garden  of  God  ere  you  can  expect  him  to  be 
as  the  dew.  Before  you  can  be  a  watered 
garden,  you  must-be  inclosed  from  the  desert. 
It  is  your  life  in  Christ  which  can  alone  bring 
forth  fruit ;  and  all  out  of  him,  however  fair 
to  your  own  eyes,  and  the  eyes  of  others,  will 
be  burned  up. 


UNDER   THE   JUNIPEB.  183 

Jesus  Scays,  "  Behold,  I  come  .quickly ;  and 
my  reward  is  with  me,  to  give  every  man  ac- 
cording as  his  work  shall  be."     Rev.  xxii.  12. 

"  And  they  shall  see  his  face  ;  and  his  name 
shall  be  in  their  foreheads.  And  there  shall 
be  no  night  there."     Rev.  xxii.  4,  5. 

A3IEN. 


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